Obama: No evidence of attacks during holiday

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Obama: No specific and credible threat to U.S. President Obama said during a national security announcement that there is no specific and credible threat against the U.S.

WASHINGTON — There is no specific and credible evidence that a Paris-style terrorist attack is being planned for the United States this holiday weekend, President Obama said Wednesday after meeting with national security aides.

"We are taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe," Obama told reporters after his meeting, adding that U.S. military, intelligence, and law enforcement officials are "working overtime" this Thanksgiving.

As officials bolster security at the nation's borders and airports, Obama urged Americans to go about their Thanksgiving activities as usual, but also to be "vigilant" about unusual activity.

"If you see something suspicious, say something," Obama said. "That's always helpful."

The national security team briefed Obama "on our homeland security posture in the wake of the tragic attacks in Paris and as we enter the holiday season," the White House said in a statement.

After a similar meeting on Tuesday, the White House said that Obama "was briefed that there is currently no specific, credible threat to the homeland" from the Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris that killed at least 130 people.

Shortly after the president's remarks at the White House, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson echoed his message while boarding an Amtrak train at Union Station in Washington, D.C.

Speaking on one of the busiest travels days of the year, Johnson said that "we in the U.S. government know of no specific and credible threat of a terrorist plot." He added that government officials remain vigilant, and so should transportation passengers.

“Basically, they are reinforcing existing security measures," he said. "It should be obvious to the public that there is a heightened presence in places like in Union Station here, at airports and other public gathering places. In general, we want to encourage people as the holiday season begins to travel, be with your families, celebrate the holidays, go to public events — and be vigilant and be aware.”

Obama and aides have said that homeland security officials are stepping up their efforts in the wake of the Paris attacks. The Islamic State, which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq, has made more threats against the United States and its allies.

On Tuesday, Obama met with French President Francois Hollande to discuss a global strategy to counter the Islamic State.

While Republican presidential candidates and other critics say that Obama's strategy is inadequate, the president said he is intensifying the existing plan that stresses airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Syria and Iraq and the training of local forces to carry the fight on the ground. Obama has repeatedly said he would not deploy U.S. combat troops to the battle.

Citing that plan in his remarks Wednesday, Obama said the United States and allies have conducted more than 8,000 airstrikes, re-taken land, and worked to cut off the group's financing, all designed to step up the pressure on the Islamic State "where it lives."

As for the United States, Obama said that, "right now, we know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the homeland." He later added: "In the event of a specific, credible threat, the public will be informed."

Obama's national security meeting included Johnson, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Comey.

While the threat of terrorism "is a troubling reality of our age," Obama said later, "we are resilient in the face of those who would try to do us harm. And that’s something we can all be thankful for."

The president again expressed solidarity with the people of Paris.

"For many of us," he said, "the events there touched a deep chord."

Contributing: Bart Jansen