Obama: Release of detainee photos could endanger troops

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he told government lawyers to object to a court-ordered release of additional Defense Department photos showing alleged abuse of detainees because the release could affect the safety of U.S. troops and "inflame anti-American opinion."

He also expressed concern that a release of the photos could have a "chilling effect" on further investigations of detainee abuse without adding to the understanding of past abuses.

Obama reiterated that any future "abuse of detainees is unacceptable (and) will not be tolerated."

The Pentagon had been set to release hundreds of photographs of prisoners in detention facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq.

CNN