Trump pushed back against reports that the deadly operation in which Ryan Owens died was hastily planned and unsuccessful.
Carryn Owens, widow of Chief Special Warfare Operator Ryan Owens, wipes her eyes during President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS/AP
The most emotional moment of President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night centered on his reference to Ryan Owens, a Navy SEAL who died in a raid in Yemen that Trump approved days after taking office and whose wife was in attendance at the invitation of the first family.
The moment, in which Trump recognized Owens' tearful wife, Carryn Owens, drew sustained bipartisan applause from those in attendance in the House chamber.
"Ryan died as he lived – a warrior and a hero, battling against terrorism and securing our Nation," Trump said.
The comments came after NBC News on Tuesday quoted unnamed officials who said no "actionable intelligence" came from the Jan. 28 raid on an al-Qaida facility in the embattled Arab peninsula nation. And the president went on to forcefully push back against reports that the raid was not fully planned and was not successful.
"I just spoke to Gen. Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, 'Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies,'" Trump said, referring to Defense Secretary James Mattis. "Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity."
After the address, the Associated Press reported that the raid resulted in a wide collection of intelligence. The AP quoted a senior U.S. official who said the list of intelligence secured from the mission fills more than three pages and includes information on the terrorist group's training techniques and targeting priorities as well as the kinds of explosives they are creating and the types of threats they are planning.
Days after it took place, the White House said the Obama administration planned and vetted the raid and was waiting on the right meteorological conditions to give the OK, which wouldn't come until Trump became president. Trump reiterated that position during an interview that aired Tuesday morning on Fox News.
Multiple officials from the previous administration have pushed back on the assertion, saying the plan was not fully formed under Obama's presidency.
Owens' father told the Miami Herald he refused to meet Trump at Dover Air Force Base, when the president came to observe the return of Owens' remains to the U.S., over his belief that the mission was not worthwhile. Owens' father said he thought the raid was in part launched as a "grand display" for the new administration.
"Ryan laid down his life for his friends, his country, and for our freedom," Trump said Tuesday. "We can never forget him."
Updated on Feb. 28, 2017: This story has been updated with additional information.
The comments came after NBC News on Tuesday quoted unnamed officials who said no "actionable intelligence" came from the Jan. 28 raid on an al-Qaida facility in the embattled Arab peninsula nation. And the president went on to forcefully push back against reports that the raid was not fully planned and was not successful.
"I just spoke to Gen. Mattis, who reconfirmed that, and I quote, 'Ryan was a part of a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence that will lead to many more victories in the future against our enemies,'" Trump said, referring to Defense Secretary James Mattis. "Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity."
After the address, the Associated Press reported that the raid resulted in a wide collection of intelligence. The AP quoted a senior U.S. official who said the list of intelligence secured from the mission fills more than three pages and includes information on the terrorist group's training techniques and targeting priorities as well as the kinds of explosives they are creating and the types of threats they are planning.
Days after it took place, the White House said the Obama administration planned and vetted the raid and was waiting on the right meteorological conditions to give the OK, which wouldn't come until Trump became president. Trump reiterated that position during an interview that aired Tuesday morning on Fox News.
Multiple officials from the previous administration have pushed back on the assertion, saying the plan was not fully formed under Obama's presidency.
Owens' father told the Miami Herald he refused to meet Trump at Dover Air Force Base, when the president came to observe the return of Owens' remains to the U.S., over his belief that the mission was not worthwhile. Owens' father said he thought the raid was in part launched as a "grand display" for the new administration.
"Ryan laid down his life for his friends, his country, and for our freedom," Trump said Tuesday. "We can never forget him."
Updated on Feb. 28, 2017: This story has been updated with additional information.
