Obama: No credible terror threat against US ahead of Thanksgiving

Trying to reassure the American public in the lead-up to Thanksgiving, President Obama said Wednesday there is no specific or credible threat against the United States.

“Right now, we know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the homeland,” the president said at the White House following a meeting with his national security team.

The meeting was designed to review efforts to track threats and bolster security procedures ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Obama was flanked by his top national security officials: Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Counterterrorism Adviser Lisa Monaco.

“What I want the American people to know is we are taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe,” Obama said.

The president acknowledged that “Americans have been asking each other whether it’s safe here” in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) deadliest strike thus far against the West.

“It’s understandable people worry something similar could happen here,” Obama said.

While he sought to allay fears about a possible terror attack, Obama also urged Americans to stay vigilant as they travel for Thanksgiving.

“In the event of a specific, credible threat, the public will be informed. We do think it’s useful for people as they are going about their business to be vigilant,” he said

“If you see something suspicious, say something, that’s always helpful.”

Obama’s comments come on one of the busiest travel days of the year, when people across the country hit the roads or flock to airports and train stations to get to their Thanksgiving destinations.

The Paris terror attacks on Nov. 13 have put Americans on edge and sparked fears of a similar incident happening in the United States.

ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, also claimed credit for a strike in Tunisia on Tuesday that left 15 dead in another reminder of the group’s global reach.

Obama said the U.S. is going after ISIS “wherever it hides” and said he would speak about the latest steps against the group in the coming weeks.

“We’re stepping up the pressure on ISIL where it lives,” the president said, using an alternate acronym for the terror group. “And we will not let up, adjusting our tactics where necessary until they are beaten.”

Congress is considering a raft of proposals in response to the Paris attacks, including a freeze on Obama’s plan to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees in the U.S. and tighter limitations on the country’s Visa Waiver Program, which allows people from 38 countries to make short visits to the country without obtaining a visa.

Obama has repeatedly condemned efforts to roll back the country’s refugee program, calling them contrary to American values. But the administration has expressed openness to new restrictions on the U.S. visa waiver policy.

In the meantime, Obama encouraged Americans to carry on with their normal routines during the holiday.

“Americans should go about their usual Thanksgiving weekend activities,” he insisted.