President Obama speaks on attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack: Flight 253 (video)

**President Obama speaks on attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack: Flight 253 (video)**
President Barack Obama speaks to the media about the recent air travel incident, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In a public address today, President Obama spoke about the attempted terrorist attack and airport security. Speaking about the Christmas Day attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, President Obama said that the investigation is ongoing and that he has asked Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and John Brennan to continually monitor the situation and keep Congress and American citizens informed.

Recapping the events that transpired, President Obama stated that on Christmas Day, Northwest Airline Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Detroit, Michigan. The plane was approaching the Detroit Metropolitan Airport when a passenger, identified as 23 year old Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, from Nigeria, allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, starting a fire.

President Obama then referred to the brave and heroic actions of crew members and passengers that quickly sprang into action and subdued AbdulMutallab. President Obama said that AbdulMutallab was in custody and is facing charges of attempting to destroy an aircraft. He also stated that the investigation would not cease until all involved parties were identified and held accountable for their actions.

President Obama referred to the attempted terrorist attack as a reminder of our nation’s enemies. The President then discussed the following steps that he has ordered to ensure the safety of those traveling by air flight during the holiday season.

1. The President took immediate action to ensure the safety of those who were currently traveling. These included securing flights that were in the air, enhancing screening and security procedures, and adding federal air marshals to all flights entering or leaving the United States.

2. The President has ordered two reviews as a way to identify errors that were made and to prevent similar acts of terrorism from occurring in the future. The first review is in regard to the Watch List. Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab was on the list of known suspected terrorists, but he was not on the watch list or the ‘no fly list’ and managed to board the flight.

The second review is in regards to the current procedures and screening technologies used as AbdulMutallab managed to bypass security and board the plane carrying explosives.

3. President Obama addressed the importance of his National Security team increasing pressure on known terrorists and enemies of America.

4. The President stated that the American people should remain vigilant and confident.

As a nation, we will do everything in our power to protect our country. As Americans, we will never give in to fear or division. We will be guided by our hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values. That's who we are as Americans; that's what our brave men and women in uniform are standing up for as they spend the holidays in harm's way. And we will continue to do everything that we can to keep America safe in the new year and beyond.