In situations like this I aways ask myself,"WWVD" (What would Viper do?).
Viper would say, "You made a decision...you made a dicision and broke a major rule of engagement.".
I'm surprised at how easily impressed you are SOB. He sounds tough, but that is no way to foster concencous. Not only that but he is an employee, he owes the US citizenry a much fuller explaination for his decision. If one of my elected employees ever tried to pull a stunt like that I would do my best to ****-can him. Of course chances are he would be ripped to shreds in question period anyway.
Whenever someone makes a definitive declaration and refuses explanation I always wonder if it's because thier explanations are weak.