I'm not sure he directly made the comparison but stated his point rather unartful. News Readers should not deviate from prepared completely vetted scripts.
It may not be a popular position, but I agree with you. I don't think he intended to say that our Navy Seals are the moral equivalent to these terrorists.
I think he was clumsily saying that we have guys willing to sacrifice their lives for our cause.
Although, to paraphrase Patton, the purpose of war is to get the other son-of-a-bitch to die for his country.