Navy spokesman Ryan Perry confirmed Tuesday that the military has launched an investigation into Robert O’Neill’s violation of the solemn code of silence that SEALS are sworn to uphold regarding their missions, including the 2011 operation that killed bin Laden.
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) November 25, 2014
"The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is in receipt of an allegation that Mr. O'Neill may have revealed classified information to persons not authorized to receive such information," Perry said.
"In response, NCIS has initiated an investigation to determine the merit of the allegations."
After declaring that he fatally shot bin Laden three years ago, O’Neill spoke to several media outlets about his participation in the operation. He says he did not give out any classified information.
Last November, he revealed that he was near the head of the column of US soldiers with at least two other SEALS who also fired shots at the al Qaeda leader during the raid on his Abbottabad, Pakistan, hideout.
— Blount Chamber (@blountchamber) December 11, 2014
O’Neill’s statements sparked internal controversy, as they seem to conflict with those of former SEAL Matt Bissonnette, who published his version of events in the book, "No Easy Day" in 2012.
"Two different people telling two different stories for two different reasons," Bissonnette said. "Whatever he says, he says. I don't want to touch that."
O'Neill said he had decided to come forward after meeting with relatives of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
"The families told me it helped bring them some closure," he said.
Pentagon officials have said they are uncertain as to whose shots actually killed Bin Laden.
