After meeting with his national security team, President Obama spoke at the White House Wednesday, hoping to quell American fears about a domestic terror threat as we near the holidays.
“Watching the events in Paris made the threat feel closer to home,” Obama said.
“We are taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe.”
He again outlined the United States’ counterterrorism strategy. “We are going after ISIL where it hides,” he said.
The coalition of 65 countries against terror, the president claimed, has been an effective force in the fight against terror. The combined nations have conducted 8,000 airstrikes, "taking out key terror leaders and territories, choking off finances and supply lines." In addition, the U.S. has supporting the efforts of other countries, such as France’s airstrikes against ISIS.
“We will not let up, adjusting our tactics where necessary,” Obama insisted.
Yet, last week, after Paris faced unimaginable terror, Obama said his administration would not be changing its strategy against ISIS. He was criticized for continuing an effort that has failed to defeat the terror group, let alone “contain” it. The president then claimed the upcoming climate summit would be an effective “rebuke” against ISIS.
After his briefing, the president insisted Americans do not need to talk about the threats of terror around the dinner table.
“Right now, we know of any plot against homeland,” he said.
He reminded Americans that national security has been strengthened since 9/11 and Homeland Security is working around the clock to prevent attacks and terrorist fighters from entering our states and other nations.
In the event of a threat, the public will be informed, he insisted. For now, "Happy Thanksgiving."