CHENEYISM

WH: Yemen Raid Critics Should Apologize to Dead Navy SEAL

“Anybody who undermines the success of the raid owes an apology...”

While addressing critics of the botched U.S. raid on al Qaeda militants in Yemen, Sean Spicer on Wednesday deployed an Iraq War throwback concept: if you criticize the mission, you don’t support the military. The January 29 raid resulted in numerous civilian deaths—including the 7-year-old daughter of the late U.S.-born al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki—as well as one U.S. Navy SEAL named William “Ryan” Owens. Asked whether the White House can still consider the raid a success—despite Yemen no longer granting permission to the U.S. to do ground-ops in the country—Spicer replied: “It’s absolutely a success. And I think anyone who suggests it’s not a success does disservice to the life of Chief Ryan Owens.” He added: “Anybody who undermines the success of the raid owes an apology and a disservice to the life of Chief Owens.” Asked if that “anybody” includes prominent critics like Sen. John McCain, Spicer reiterated that his words were a “message to anybody.”