FBI Releases Unredacted Transcript of Orlando Terrorist’s 911 Calls and Timeline

FBI Released Partial Transcripts, Republicans Politicized Issue, DOJ and FBI Release Full Version

After top GOP leaders attacked the Obama administration Monday for releasing a redacted version of the timeline and transcript of calls to 911 operators made by the Orlando terrorist who killed 49 people at a gay nightclub, the FBI and Dept. of Justice released a statement explaining their initial decision, and then releasing an unredacted version.

The original version is here.

Calling the comments from Republicans, like Speaker Paul Ryan, an “unnecessary distraction,” the FBI and DOJ in a statement explained why they had not released the full transcript.

“The purpose of releasing the partial transcript of the shooter’s interaction with 911 operators was to provide transparency, while remaining sensitive to the interests of the surviving victims, their families, and the integrity of the ongoing investigation. We also did not want to provide the killer or terrorist organizations with a publicity platform for hateful propaganda. Unfortunately, the unreleased portions of the transcript that named the terrorist organizations and leaders have caused an unnecessary distraction from the hard work that the FBI and our law enforcement partners have been doing to investigate this heinous crime. As much of this information had been previously reported, we have re-issued the complete transcript to include these references in order to provide the highest level of transparency possible under the circumstances.”

And, the full transcript and time line:

Transcript of Orlando Police Department 911 Calls, June 12, 2016

2:35 a.m.: Shooter contacted a 911 operator from inside Pulse.  The call lasted approximately 50 seconds, the details of which are set out below:

(OD)   Orlando Police Dispatcher

(OM)   Omar Mateen

OD:     Emergency 911, this is being recorded.

OM:     In the name of God the Merciful, the beneficent [Arabic]

OD:     What?

OM:     Praise be to God, and prayers as well as peace be upon the prophet of God [Arabic]. I wanna let you know, I’m in Orlando and I did the shootings.

OD:     What’s your name?

OM:     My name is I pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of the Islamic State.

OD:     Ok, What’s your name?

OM:     I pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi may God protect him [Arabic], on behalf of the Islamic State.

OD:     Alright, where are you at?

OM:     In Orlando.

OD:     Where in Orlando?

Buzzfeed’s Legal Editor Chris Geidner weighs in:

 

Image via Wikimedia