White House: We Aren't Going to Get Into What The "Legal, Academic Definition of War" With ISIS May Be

Over the past few weeks, but more specifically since President Obama spoke to the country Wednesday evening about how he will "degrade and destroy" ISIS, Americans are asking one question: Are we at war with these people? 

Up until now, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have said the answer is no. Today White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said while the United States isn't at war with ISIS, the United States is at war with the terror army in the same way we're at war with al Qaeda.

"In the same way the United States is at war with al Qaeda and its affiliates around the world, the United States is at war with ISIL," Earnest said. "But make no mistake, I'm not just talking about the United States, I'm talking about a broader coalition of international partners."

"I'll leave it to others to determine what the legal, academic definition of war may be," Earnest said.