Critics respond after Obama apologizes for drone strike

The president issued a mea culpa after a drone strike killed an American aid worker held hostage by Al Qaeda, but many took the chance to voice other situations in which an apology was warranted.

Ragan Insider Premium Content
Ragan Insider Content

But the focus quickly changed in social media from those killed and the rare presidential apology to things for which the president has not apologized.

U.S. drone strikes killed hostages Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto in Pakistan this past January. The Obama administration decided to declassify the incident because, he said, the victims’ families “deserve to know the truth.”

The New York Times published the full story on the incident along with Obama’s apology:

As president and as commander in chief, I take full responsibility for all our counterterrorism operations,” the grim-faced president told reporters as television cameras broadcast his words. “I profoundly regret what happened,” he added. “On behalf of the United States government, I offer our deepest apologies to the families.

Though some applauded the move toward transparency, others were quick to point out the things they think deserve an Obama apology.

To read the full story, log in.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today

Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.