The Hill News

President Obama is taking "somewhat of a victory lap" following the killing of Osama bin Laden, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Monday. 

Boehner largely praised Obama's decision to execute the raid on the al Qaeda leader's Pakistani compound and the president's decision not to release photos of bin Laden's body. But he said that Obama has gone to lengths to take credit for bin Laden's slaying.

{mosads}"There's no question that there is somewhat of a victory lap going on," Boehner said on conservative talker Sean Hannity's radio show. 

Some of Obama's critics questioned his conduct following the bin Laden mission in lieu of his decision not to release the reportedly "gruesome" photos of bin Laden's body.

Critics say there is disparity between the president's schedule last week, when he held several events with military members and retired veterans, and his comments on CBS's "60 Minutes," when he justified the decision to withhold the photos, saying "we don't spike the football" and it "is not who we are."

Several members of the administration and lawmakers from both political parties pressured Obama to release the photos to prove bin Laden's death to any doubters, especially those in the Muslim world. But ultimately, Obama disagreed, saying they could inflame radicals sentiments.

Despite referring to Obama's "victory lap," Boehner said there is no question bin Laden is dead and agreed with Obama's decision to keep the photos hidden from the public.

"I think frankly the administration made the right decision. I don't think there is anything to be gained from releasing the photos," he said, adding tha! t the U.S.'s enemies could be "enraged" by them.

"! If he's dead, he's dead," Boehner said of bin Laden. "I wouldn't want to do anything that would put our military or intelligence at risk."