The decision to bury Osama bin Laden at sea was correct because it prevented the creation of a physical shrine or grave that would serve as a rallying point for followers.

“If you do that, you end up making him a martyr even more and growing his following even more. Like look what he sacrificed for the cause. Don't do that. Like do you want a tombstone in the US? Do you want some some new mecca where all the other crazies kind of go to pay homage to him?”

The burial at sea was an appropriate choice that maintained respect for the religious requirements regarding timely burial without honoring the individual.

“From my understanding, too, um based off of the religion, um they have to be buried within 24 hours. So, that was kind of from my understanding a respectful way to, you know, kind of honor his religion.”