President Obama Calls Suspect 'Isolated Extremist,' But Al Qaeda Claims Credit

After initial silence, President Obama made his first public comments on the foiled Detroit airliner terror attack and the violent protests in IranAfter three days of virtual silence on the Christmas Day terrorist scare, President Obama emerged in public today, seeking to reassure Americans that his administration is doing all it can to prevent an attack and to learn lessons from the attempted downing of the airliner.
 
"We will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable," said Obama, who is on holiday in Hawaii with his family.
 
While the incident was a "serious reminder" of terrorism's dangers and could have led to the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians, the American people should rest assured that the federal government is "doing all in our power" to keep the travelers safe during the busy holiday season, he said. He was dressed in a serious suit and spoke from behind an official lectern in front of a presidential blue curtain, instead of less formal setting.
 
The Obama administration has ordered far stricter and more intrusive screening of airline passengers, especially those on international flights headed to the US. It has also ordered investigations into how travelers are placed on watch lists and how passengers are screened.
 
Obama said he has talked to top administration officials, who are monitoring the situation and informing members of Congress and the American public. Read more ...
 
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Transcript of President Obama's Remarks
 
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