Am I under the mistaken impression that he gave the order? If so, could you provide a little background so I can correct myself?
I have only the memory of reading about it at the time, but Obama was attempting to get his FBI people involved at the time. There was a standing order not rescinded by subsequent Obama orders to stand down, and to not fire on the pirates. That standing order was the “excuse” the sniper, and his duty Commander needed to open fire should the safe opportunity to do so arise, and it did, and the rest is history.
Were it up to Obama the Capt. of the Maersk might still be in the hands of the pirates, or dead.