In the hours and days after Osama bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs, it was agreed upon by higher-ups in the White House that they would try to keep as many details about the operation as secret as possible. Quickly, as CIA head Leon Panetta said, it "fell apart" the next day.
Trying to stop leaks, Mr. Panetta sent an internal memo to government employees Wednesday warning them to cease giving out sensitive information. If not, those who did not listen would be "investigated and possibly prosecuted."
The memo was then promptly leaked to the press.
Panetta wrote the memorandum after reports that the CIA operated a safe house near bin Laden were leaked, as well as "as new stealth drone technology" used to spy on the terrorist further. Panetta also warned that these leaks could risk lives.
The Washington Post continues:
CIA director Leon Panetta is warning his employees that leakers will be investigated and possibly prosecuted after a flurry of reports in the media about the technology and methods used to track and ultimately kill Osama bin Laden.
In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Panetta told staff Wednesday that the disclosure of classified information to anyone not cleared for it — reporters, friends, colleagues in other agencies or former CIA officers — can endanger lives...
Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen also said Wednesday it’s time to move on and stop talking about the raid.
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