The Pentagon, aiding in a pre-Election Day movie about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, promoted the president’s “gusty decision” and called White House involvement “critical,” according to new documents released today by a government watchdog group.
In helping with the development of “Zero Dark Thirty,” from the team that produced the “Hurt Locker,” the administration also made CIA and SEAL Team 6 details available to director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal.
The documents were provided to Judicial Watch under a Freedom of Information release.
One transcript details meetings with top White House officials about the raid. Another reveals how the Pentagon made a SEAL Team Six leader available. And one email details recommendations for the movie team to talk to the White House, adding: “Was a ‘gutsy decision’ by the POTUS (WH involvement was critical.)”
The release of information about the raid has angered many in the military. Secrets reported last week that a New York Times reporter was assailed for releasing details about the raid, but he acknowledged that they came from the White House.
In a statement, Judicial Watch said, “These documents, which took nine months and a federal lawsuit to disgorge from the Obama administration, show that politically-connected filmmakers were giving extraordinary and secret access to bin Laden raid information, including the identity of a Seal Team Six leader.” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton added, “It is both ironic and hypocritical that the Obama administration stonewalled Judicial Watch’s pursuit of the bin Laden death photos, citing national security concerns, yet seemed willing to share intimate details regarding the raid to help Hollywood filmmakers release a movie ‘perfectly timed to give a home-stretch boost’ to the Obama campaign.”
The emails show that the movie production began last fall and is scheduled for release near Election Day.
Click here for the full Judicial Watch release and details.
