Osama bin Laden Is Dead, Obama Says

UPDATE, 12:15 p.m., May 2: Gov. Martin O’Malley issued this statement today:

“This closes a sad and tragic chapter in our country and our world’s history. Commend the men and women of our Armed Forces and the dedicated public servants of our nation’s security agencies. This should be a day of reflection and prayer for a more peaceful future.”

UPDATE: 12:10 p.m., May 2: U. S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D-Dist. 8) of Kensington issued the following statement on Monday:

“The death of Osama bin Laden represents a huge milestone for the United States in our fight against al-Qaeda and terrorists seeking to harm our country. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and on Flight 93. It is a major accomplishment for President Obama, our armed services, intelligence professionals, and American diplomats. Today we honor the troops killed in the fight against al-Qaeda and salute the public servants who have supported this effort over the last ten years.

“The fight against al-Qaeda is far from over and we must remain vigilant, but yesterday the terrorist network lost its founder and leader. It was a good day for America and for all those throughout the world who work for freedom, justice, and peace.”

At 2 p.m., Van Hollen will deliver the Whittington Lecture at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute. The Whittington Lecture Series honors the memory of Leslie Whittington, a Georgetown dean and professor, who along with her husband and two daughters, lost her life in the attacks of September 11, 2001.

UPDATE, 12:40 a.m., May 2: U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D) of Pikesville, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following statement:

“The death of Osama bin Laden is an important milestone in the fight against terrorism and a relief to millions of Americans and others around the world who have felt his murderous destruction. Osama bin Laden was a murderer who devoted his life to the destruction of freedom, democracy and our way of life. Tonight all Americans can feel safer knowing that bin Laden is dead, but we must remain vigilant in the continued fight against al-Qaeda and any terrorists who seek to harm our nation. I join the President and all Americans in thanking the military professionals who carried out this mission. We depend on them and owe them our gratitude and our prayers.”

UPDATE, 12:30 a.m., May 2: A team of Americans attacked and killed Osama bin Laden today at a compound in Pakistan, President Barack Obama said during a late-night speech to the nation Sunday.

Bin Laden's death ends a nearly decade of searching for the Al Qaeda mastermind, who directed the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks that killed thousands of Americans.

"But his death doesn’t mark end of our efforts. We must and will remain vigilant at home and abroad," Obama said in his speech.

In his minutes-long speech, the president thanked the intelligence community, who secured leads on Bin Laden's location in August. He also said that this fight was never about Islam.

“The US is not—and never will be—at war with Islam … Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims," he said.

"Justice has been done," Obama said.

Tweets from in and around the nation's capital:

@LukeRussert: Obama called George W Bush earlier in the evening to inform him of #BinLaden 's death.

@ColinStorm Good speech from Obama. Would have liked to hear some mention of Pres. Bush, but a historic night indeed.

@MarkKeam @whitehouse: Obama: “Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11, that we have never forgotten your loss”"

@clarendonnights RT @dmbosstone: Looks like GW students have turbed Bin Laden's death into Spring Break 2K11 outside the White House.

@DeepakChopra Dear Mr Trump do you want to see Osama bin Laden's death certificate--long form or short form ?

Original post, 11:33 p.m., May 1:

Osama Bin Laden Is Dead, Obama Expected To Announce Tonight

Nearly 10 years after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Osama bin Laden is dead, news sources began to report Sunday night.

A U.S. official told the New York Times that the leader was dead Sunday night. President Barack Obama is expected to make the announcement shortly. You can watch his speech online here.

Shortly after the White House released a statement around 10:20 p.m. saying the president would make an announcement on an undisclosed topic, speculation exploded on Twitter. Minutes later, The New York Times and the Washington Post  reported bin Laden had been killed in a CIA operation in Pakistan, citing a number of sources.

Tweets from in and around the nation's capital:

 @ipaullee: Are we in a safer or more dangerous world now? Bothered by the thought of escalating retribution. 

@markkeam: Credit goes to brave men and women in uniform who fought & sacrificed for our freedom.Not time for politicians to take credit.

daveweigel: 2031: "Dad, where were you when we learned bin Laden died?" "Kids, I was saying stupid crap about it on Twitter."

@markkeam: I still remember 9.11 as if it happened yesterday.10 years long time to wait for justice but not too late. God bless America!

The White House's Web site has video and a complete transcript of President Obama's speech.

Where did you hear the news of Bin Laden's death? Where were you when you heard about 9/11?