News

Actions

President Obama will speak to nation on San Bernardino, broader terror threats Sunday

Posted at 7:32 PM, Dec 05, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-05 21:32:41-05
By David Mark

CNN

(CNN) — President Barack Obama on Sunday night will deliver a rare Oval Office address, about terror threats in the aftermath of the San Bernardino, California, shootings that claimed 14 lives. CNN and other networks will broadcast it live at 6 p.m. MT.

The White House says the president will provide an update on the investigation. Federal authorities have said the attacks are being investigated as an act of terrorism.

Obama will also address broader terror threats to the nation, including its origins, and counteroffensive strategies. He will specifically cite the need to continue pressure on ISIS, which the administration says is a threat to freedoms in the U.S. and elsewhere.

ISIS on Saturday hailed the San Bernardino shooters as “supporters” of the terror group — a message that came after U.S. investigators said they suspect one of the shooters professed loyalty to the Islamist network, CNN reports.

Republicans, on the presidential campaign trail and in Congress, have in recent days lambasted President Obama over his response to the San Bernardino killings. They’ve been particularly withering about comments by the president supporting gun control measures. In his Saturday radio address Obama said it’s “insane” that people on the “no-fly” list are permitted to buy guns.

Sunday’s Oval Office address will be only the third of Obama’s presidency. The prior two occurred in 2010, about the end of U.S. operations in Iraq, and the Gulf oil spill. He has delivered other prime time speeches from the White House, focusing on the killing of Osama bin Laden, military intervention in Syria, immigration and other issues.