24 (TV Series)

Day 2: 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (2003)

Dennis Haysbert: President David Palmer

Quotes 

• Mike Novick : [while entering his office]  Jack Bauer is interrogating Syed Ali as we speak: we're getting a minute by minute update on his progress but nothing yet

  President David Palmer : And we're certain this man knows the location of the bomb at this point?

  Mike Novick : Jack Bauer is

  President David Palmer : Make sure he has all the resources he needs

  Mike Novick : Yes Sir

  President David Palmer : [while watching Simmons torture Stanton]  Agent Simmons tells me Roger received the same training in resisting interrogation as he did but everyone breaks eventually

• Mike Novick : Sir, are you aware Jack Bauer is threatening the lives of Syed Ali's family?

  President David Palmer : No, where is his family?

  Mike Novick : In their own country: CTU has been in contact with security forces and has Ali's family in custody. We just got word that Jack has requested to kill the family one by one until Ali tells us the location of the bomb

  President David Palmer : [after going into his office]  would the security forces do this in your estimation?

  Mike Novick : Their government is afraid of what we will do in retaliation if the bomb does go off, so yes I think they would

  President David Palmer : Can we let this happen? Condone the murder of innocent people?

  Mike Novick : The argument would be that the bomb is an act of war. War inevitably results in civilian causalities

  Mike Novick : I don't want a rationale. I don't know of a war where a president knowingly targeted children for assassination

  Mike Novick : Compare this to a weapons factory we discovered near a hospital. A situation we have faced, bombing would still be ordered and many more people would be saved by the destruction of the factory. The numbers are even more compelling here. A few people have to die to save millions

  President David Palmer : How could it come to this?

• President David Palmer : [Referring to killing Syed Ali's family if he doesn't give them the location of the bomb]  I can't let you do this

  Jack Bauer : Sir, Ali was willing to take his own life to complete his mission: his only vulnerability is his family

  President David Palmer : That will not be the official policy of this country to kill innocent children

  Jack Bauer : Sir, the actual killing would take place in his country. You would not have to be involved. This would be a field decision

  President David Palmer : [Before hanging up]  the decision is final. I'm sorry

  Jack Bauer : [Pretending to be still talking to the President in front of Ali to coerce him into giving them the location of the bomb]  I understand Mr. President. No, I do not think there's another alternative. I know it's a difficult decision Sir. Yes Sir. Thank you for your support Mr. President