1. “The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat Al Qaeda. … Today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people. – President Barack Obama, announcing bin Laden’s death in East Room of the White House (May 1, 2011)
2. “Osama bin Laden is dead, and the World Trade Center site is teeming with new life. Osama bin Laden is dead and lower Manhattan is pulsing with new activity. Osama bin Laden is dead, and New York City’s spirit has never been stronger.” – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (May 2011)
3. “When I found out it was bin Laden being captured, there was a certain sense of relief and a sense of satisfaction that justice has been brought to this man who has done unspeakable horror and evils. It may seem like it took a long time, but sometimes justice takes a while.” – Rudy Giuliani, who was New York City mayor at the time of Sept. 11 attacks (May 2011)
4. “I give the president full credit for this, it took a lot of guts. … He’s the commander-in-chief, he was the guy who put it on the line. There was no guarantee — none — that this would work.” – Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee (May 2011)
5. “You can go back 500 years. You cannot find a more audacious plan. Never knowing for certain. We never had more than a 48 percent probability that he was there.” – Vice President Joe Biden at a fundraiser in New Jersey on the decision to kill bin Laden (March 2012)
6. “The world is a better and more just place now that Osama bin Laden is no longer in it. I hope the families of the victims of the September 11th attacks will sleep easier tonight and every night hence knowing that justice has been done.” – Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) (May 2011)
7. “This was a ‘mission accomplished’ moment President Bush could have only dreamed of.” – Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) (May 2011)
8. “This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden’s many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist.” – Mitt Romney (May 2011)
9. “Our message to the Taliban remains the same, but today, it may have even greater resonance. You cannot wait us out. You cannot defeat us …” – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Treaty Room of the State Department (May 2, 2011)
10. “I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude … The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.” – Former President George W. Bush on his phone call with Obama after bin Laden’s death (May 2011)
11. “There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered.” – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (May 2011)
12. “Look, he knew what would happen. Suppose the Navy SEALs had gone in there and it hadn’t been bin Laden. Suppose they’d been captured and killed … He took the harder and the more honorable path and the one that produced, in my opinion, the best result.” – Former President Bill Clinton in an Obama campaign video (April 2012)
13. “Today, the message our forces have sent is clear — if you attack the United States, we will find you and bring you to justice.” – Former Vice President Dick Cheney (May 2011)
14. “Just imagine, a small group of brave men, dropped by helicopter, half a world away in the dead of night … into unknown danger inside the lair of the most sought after man in the world.” – First lady Michelle Obama on the Navy SEALs who captured bin Laden in a commencement address at the University of Northern Iowa (May 2011)
