Pentagon Threatens ex-Navy SEAL Over His Book ‘No Easy Day’

NBC News reports that the former Navy SEAL who just wrote “No Easy Day“, a book about the Osama bin Laden raid, is in violation of the non-disclosure agreements that he signed. The Department of Defense General Counsel said this on Thursday.

In a letter, written by General Counsel Jeh Johnson to “Mark Owen”, Johnson explains that by selling his book, Owen aggrevates the violation.

The letter, that was sent from by the attorney at Penguin Putnam publishing, explains that Owen signed two separate non-disclosure agreements on Jan. 24, 2007, and that he has an obligation to “never divulge” classified information.

“This commitment remains in force even after you left the active duty Navy,” it says.

According to the letter, Ownen not only signed the two non-disclosure agreements, but he also signed a “Sensitive Compartmented Information Debriefing Memorandum” when he left the Navy around April 20, 2012.

“The Department of Defense has obtained and reviewed an advanced copy of the book,” the letter says, adding, “As we understand it, this book is due to be released next week, though copies of the book have apparently already been released. In the judgment of the Department of Defense, you are in material breach and violation of the non-disclosure agreements you signed.”

“Further public dissemination of your book will aggravate your breach and violation of your agreements.”

“I write to formally advise you of your material breach and violation of your agreements, and to inform you that the Department is considering pursuing against, and all those acting in concert with you, all remedies legally available to us in light of this situation.”