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Obama acknowledges Americans' fear of terrorism but vows to overcome threat

Monday, December 07, 2015 - 01:43

President Obama sought to reassure Americans after deadly California shooting raised new questions about U.S. defenses against homegrown extremism. Deborah Lutterbeck reports

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In a rare address from the Oval office Sunday night U.S. President Barack Obama worked to reassure Americans Sunday that his administration is doing all it can to reduce the risk of militant attacks after a couple in California carried out what he called "a new phase" of terrorism. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "This was an act of terrorism, designed to kill innocent people." His address comes as mourning continues for 14 people killed by assault style rifles in San Bernardino California, and just week after 130 people were killed in a series of attacks in Paris Obama vowed to target Islamic State (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us. Our success won't depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values, or giving into fear." He also said that he said he would not be sending ground troops into the fight, (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "We should not be drawn once more into a long and costly ground war in Iraq or Syria. That's what groups like ISIL want." Obama's address comes amid growing pressure from Republicans and even some Democrats for a tougher response to Islamic State now that the San Bernardino shootings have raised fears among Americans about the threat of more attacks at home.

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