Obama: No 'specific and credible' holiday threat
Story highlights
- It's rare for Obama to visit the National Counterterrorism Center, housed in Tysons Corner, Virginia
- The administration insists there are currently no credible terror threats to the homeland
Washington (CNN)President
Barack Obama insisted Thursday that Americans should feel safe inside
their own country, declaring the United States free from "specific and
credible" threats to the homeland.
Continuing
a week-long push to underscore his command of national security
dangers, Obama said he understood why unease has spread after attacks in
France and California. But he sought to bolster the country's mettle
ahead of a busy holiday travel season.
"If
you target Americans, you will have no safe haven," he said at the
suburban headquarters of his counterterrorism command center. "We will
find you and we will defend our nation."
It's
rare for Obama to visit the National Counterterrorism Center, housed in
an unmarked building amid corporate headquarters in Tysons Corner,
Virginia. Typically, Obama receives a briefing on Christmastime terror
threats in the White House Situation Room.
But amid heightened fears of an attack on U.S. soil, prompted by the ISIS-inspired attack in San Bernardino, California, Obama has made a public show of preparedness.
He
visited the Pentagon Monday for an update on military progress against
the terror group and has tasked the Department of Homeland Security with
updating its system for communicating potential threats to the American
people.
"When terrorists pull off a
despicable act like what happened in San Bernardino, it tears at our
hearts," Obama said Thursday, acknowledging that it was natural for
Americans to feel anxious. "But it also stiffens our resolve. To learn
whatever lessons we can and make any improvements that are needed."
U.S.
officials have strengthened their focus on screening people entering
the United States after signs of radicalization were missed when
processing the fiancé visa for Tashfeen Malik, one of the San Bernardino shooters.
Officials are reviewing how those types of visas are granted and say a greater emphasis on analyzing social media could result.
Speaking
Thursday, U.S. officials described an already-rigorous process that
includes multiple screening stages and collecting of biometric data like
fingerprints.
The review ordered by
Obama will continue through the holiday season, the officials said, in
an attempt to harden defenses against potential terrorists entering the
country.
The
holiday season has traditionally brought with it some sort of potential
terrorist threats. Past failed attempts to bring down jetliners --
including the foiled shoe and underwear bomb plots -- occurred during
the winter vacation period.
Busy tourist sites have increased security, including Walt Disney World in Florida, which is installing metal detectors for entering guests.
Obama himself departs for a 16-day vacation in Hawaii on Friday, stopping on the way to visit privately with family members of those shot in San Bernardino earlier this month.
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