Bin Laden Photo and Video Releases Expected (Updated)

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Update 1: The Drudge Report has posted a bulletin that President Obama has decided to release a "graphic" photo showing Osama bin Laden after his death, but we're hearing now that the White House is pushing back against that assertion. Update 2: Sometime around 12:20 p.m. the Drudge Report removed part of its bulletin saying Obama decided to release the photos. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.

Sources in the U.S. government  are cluing in reporters this morning about high-impact video and photography of Osama bin Laden that could be released as soon as today. First, ABC News' Jake Tapper reports that the Obama administration is debating releasing a photograph of bin Laden following his death. "The photograph, according to sources who have seen it, is bloody and gruesome, with a bullet wound to his head above his left eye," Tapper reports. "There are concerns its release could be inflammatory, though officials also say it's important to put to rest any skepticism about the death of this nation's public enemy number one."

While releasing the photograph would do much to allay suspicions among some that bin Laden wasn't killed Sunday, a separate tape release could have the opposite effect. According to Matt Apuzzo at The Associated Press, U.S. intelligence officials say bin Laden recorded a tape before his death and it will likely surface soon.

"It's unclear whether the tape is audio or video, but a U.S. official says that intelligence indicates it's already working its way through al-Qaida's media pipeline," Apuzzo reports. "A new recording from bin Laden would provide a final word from the beyond grave for a terrorist who taunted the U.S. with recorded propaganda for years. It could also provide fodder to those who insist he is still alive." Apuzzo's source says bin Laden had no idea U.S. forces were so close to capturing him when he recorded the tape.

News of both of these potentially impending releases follows yesterday's reports that U.S. officials may release video of the 40-minute ceremony of bin Laden's burial in the North Arabian Sea.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.