Boehner supports Obama decision not to release bin Laden photos

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday he has not seen the photos of a slain Osama bin Laden, but he supports the administration’s decision not to release them.

“I support the decision by the president that they should not be disclosed, they’ve got more information available to them, in terms of its impact, but I think that they’ve made a responsible decision,” Boehner said at a press conference.

{mosads}The speaker also said he spoke with President Obama, who “outlined” for him “the series of actions that occurred on Sunday evening” that led to bin Laden’s death.

“I have no doubts that Osama bin Laden is dead,” Boehner said.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) has been the only lawmaker to publicly say he has seen pictures.

Several lawmakers admitted to being fooled by fake photos, which have circulated widely on the Internet. Sens. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) both admitted confusion over the authenticity of the photos they had been shown.

Bin Laden was killed in a U.S. raid on his compound in Pakistan on Sunday and the administration had debated releasing photographs of the al Qaeda leader’s body.

The White House announced Thursday the pictures would not be released. They have been described as “gruesome.”

“We don’t trot out trophies,” Obama said in explanation, during an interview to be broadcast Sunday on “60 Minutes.”

The speaker also argued the U.S should work to “strengthen the ties” with Pakistan.

Rep. Joe Poe (R-Texas) has introduced a resolution to cut aid to Pakistan unless the State Department can certify its government did not know about bin Laden’s hiding place.

Boehner said “serious questions” need to be asked about what the Pakistan government knew but he reiterated the importance of Pakistan as an ally in the war on terror.

“Al Qaeda and its extremist allies have made Pakistan a target. The people of Pakistan have suffered deeply as a result. … so it’s not a time to back away from Pakistan, it’s time for more engagement with them, not less,” Boehner said.

— This story was updated at 12:56 p.m.