President Obama oval office address

President Barack Obama sits with FBI director James Comey in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, before making a statement on the mass shooting in San Bernandino, Calif. The U.S. government's ability to review and analyze five years' worth of telephone records for the married couple blamed in the deadly shootings in California lapsed when the National Security Agency's controversial mass surveillance program was formally shut down, four days before the deadly California shootings. Under a court order, those historical calling records at the NSA are now off-limits to agents running the FBI terrorism investigation even with a warrant.

(AP)

President Obama offered reassurances to the country Sunday night in a speech designed to ease fears about the threat of terrorism to the homeland.

The address - just the third from the Oval Office during his presidency - didn't include new policy measures but came just days after deadly terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, California claimed 14 lives and weeks after ISIS assaults on Paris killed 140 people.

Obama said the San Bernardino attacks, carried out by a Muslim husband and wife, were "an act of terrorism designed to kill innocent people."

"The threat from terror is real but we will overcome it," he said, adding he has asked the State Department to review the visa waiver program that allowed the female shooter, Tashfeen Malik, to enter the country with her future husband, Syed Farook. The FBI said the pair became radicalized ahead of the San Bernardino attacks.

The couple, who left behind a six-month old daughter, were killed in a shootout with police. During his address, Obama said there's no indication the pair were tied to a larger terrorist network.

The president said the U.S. would continue its battle against ISIS, hunting down terrorists wherever they are and equipping the Syrian and Iraqi forces to join in the battle. He also said the U.S. has stepped up its communication efforts with allies in the wake of the Paris attacks.

"We will destroy ISIL and any other threat that tries to harm us," Obama said. "We will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless, and by drawing upon every aspect of American power."

Domestically, Obama called on Congress to ensure that no one on a no-fly list be allowed to buy a gun and urged limitations on the sale of high-powered assault weapons.

The president also addressed the growing anti-Muslim sentiment that has emerged in the wake of the attacks.

"We cannot let this fight be defined as America vs. Islam. ISIL does not speak for Islam. They are thugs and killers," he said, adding "American-Muslims are our friends."

The speech drew quick response from a host of Republican presidential hopefuls.

On social media, GOP front runner Donald Trump dismissed it, asking "Is that all there is? We need a new President - FAST!"

Well, Obama refused to say (he just can't say it), that we are at WAR with RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISTS. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2015

Appearing on Fox News, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio was also critical of the Obama address.

"It's the most important obligation of our federal government...to provide for our national security," Rubio said. "We are battling an ideology that goes much deeper than a grievance someone has or some domestic issue...or mental illness. This is a war on radical Islam."

Live updates:

7:20 p.m. Trump gets in the last word.

Is that all there is? We need a new President - FAST! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2015

7:15 p.m. Message is over. More reactions to come.

7:14 p.m. Obama says Muslim-Americans are our friends asks Americans to reject ISIS ideas that can lead to hatred.

7:13 p.m. Obama urges Americans to reject religious tests on who should be allowed into the country.



7:11 p.m. "ISIS does not speak for Islam. They are thugs and idiots."

7:09 p.m. Obama said no one on the no fly list should be able to purchase a gun and that there should be restrictions on some high-powered automatic weapons. Also said the Conogress should institute measures to make sure people who travel to terrorist hot zones be kept out of the U.S. Obama called on Congress to authorize a resolution of war against ISIS.

7:08 p.m. Obama said he's urged State Department to examine visa process that let female terrorist in.

7:06 p.m. Says military will hunt down terrorist in any countries work with allies to disrupt plots. Since attacks in Paris, Obama said US has stepped up communication with other nations.

7:05 p.m.

Hope he won't spend too much time ripping apart the 2nd. Amendment! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2015

7:04 p.m. President mentioned Ft. Hood shooting, Chattanooga attacks on military as examples of new types of terrorism. The first Fort Hood shooting was originally labeled workplace violence.

7:03 p.m. Obama says no indication San Bernardino shooters part of larger terrorist network bu the FBI investigation continues.