'No Specific' Threat to US as Holidays Approach, Obama Says

ByALI WEINBERG ABCNews logo
Thursday, November 26, 2015

President Obama said today there's "no specific" threat to the United States nearly two weeks after the terrorist attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead and scores injured.

"As we go into Thanksgiving weekend, I want the American people to know that we are taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe," he said. "Right now, we know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the homeland. And that is based on the latest information that I just received in the Situation Room."

The president's remarks followed an update from his national security team on the state of homeland security in the wake of the Paris attacks and as the nation enters the holiday season.

"Today's meeting will provide an opportunity for members of the president's national security team to review efforts to monitor threats, continually evaluate our security posture, and protect the American people," a White House official said before the meeting. "Per his instructions, the president will continue to be regularly apprised of these efforts."

In his remarks today, the president added that he understands why Americans might be concerned that a Paris-like attack could occur over the holidays.

"I know that families have discussed their fears about the threat of terrorism around the dinner table, many for the first time since September 11th," he said. "Watching the events in Paris made the threat feel closer to home."

He recommended that people stay vigilant, adding in the event of a specific, credible threat, the government would update the public.

"But otherwise, Americans should go about their usual Thanksgiving weekend activities, spending time with family and friends, and celebrating our blessings," he said. "While the threat of terrorism is a troubling reality of our age, we are both equipped to prevent attacks and we are resilient in the face of those who would try to do us harm."

The president spoke from the Roosevelt Room in the White House, after the approximately hour-long national security meeting in the Situation Room, which included updates from Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, FBI Director James Comey and Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

The security update came a day after President Obama met with French President Francois Hollande, during which the two called for all Western nations to step up their commitments in the fight against ISIS.

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