Pence disputes reports that Yemen raid yielded no significant intel – Politico

The White House has repeatedly labeled the mission as a success. | Getty

A raid conducted by Navy SEALs last month in Yemen against an offshoot of the terrorist group Al Qaeda yielded significant intelligence, Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday morning, disputing reports that the operation had proven fruitless.

The raid, which left one SEAL and dozens of civilians dead, has proven increasingly controversial for Trump, who in a Fox News interview broadcast Tuesday morning seemingly blamed the military for the U.S. service members death. Asked about the operation, Trump told Fox & Friends that the mission was started before I got here and said of his generals that they lost Ryan, referring to slain SEAL Ryan Owens.

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In perhaps the most powerful moment of the presidents hour-long address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, Trump spoke warmly of Owens and introduced his widow, seated in the gallery. She received an extended standing ovation, after which Trump said Ryan is looking down right now, you know that, and hes very happy because I think he just broke a record, a line that prompted laughter in the House chamber and a smile from the SEALs wife.

The White House has repeatedly labeled the mission as a success because of the intelligence it yielded, although officials have generally been cautious to couch that characterization with praise for Owens sacrifice. But citing anonymous sources, NBC News reported Tuesday that the operation had not generated any significant information.

Owens father, who refused to meet President Donald Trump when he traveled to greet the remains of the fallen SEAL at Dover Air Force Base, said in an interview with the Miami Herald that the operation should be investigated and warned the White House not to hide behind his sons death. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has said the operation will be automatically reviewed by the Pentagon, in part because a service member was killed.

We were briefed again yesterday by [Defense Secretary James] Mattis, giving us a summary of the intelligence that was gathered, Pence said in an interview Wednesday with CBS This Morning. This was a strike that was directed at obtaining information about the Al Qaeda operating out of Yemen. We do believe it will lay a foundation for victories in the future.

NBC has reported that there was no significant intelligence gathered from that raid is. That wrong? anchor Norah ODonnell followed-up.

That is wrong. I can tell you that Secretary Mattis, as recently as yesterday confirmed again to the administration that there was significant intelligence that was gathered that will lead to American success and to the safety and security of the American people, Pence replied, echoing comments Trump made during his address to Congress.

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Pence disputes reports that Yemen raid yielded no significant intel - Politico

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