This is how the United States got around a bunch of laws in order to 'legally' kill Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden
(Image credit: Getty Images/Staff)

It was up to four administration lawyers to navigate the legality of the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in May 2011 — which meant figuring out exceptions, loopholes, and parkour-like stunts around any and all legal obstacles, The New York Times reports. Among the lawyers' accomplishments: managing to justify the use of ground forces on Pakistani territory without first consulting with the country, okaying the lethal bin Laden operation without much room for considering capture, telling Congress about the raid after the fact, and burying bin Laden's body at sea.

According to the special report, the United States considered sending bin Laden to Guantánamo if he was captured alive, though capturing him alive was barely entertained as an option. An aerial attack on bin Laden's neighborhood, which would have destroyed any underground tunnels but also killed dozens of civilians, was also deemed lawful.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.