President Barack Obama said U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials don't have any specific, credible information suggesting a potential terrorist attack against the country during the holiday season.
Obama delivered an update on the U.S. fight against terrorism during a visit at the National Counterterrorism Center in Virginia, where he received a Thursday briefing.
"We are in a new phase of terrorism, including lone actors and small groups of terrorists like those in San Bernardino. Because they are smaller, often self-initiating, self-motivation, they're harder to detect, and that makes it harder to prevent," said Obama. "But just as the threat evolves, so do we."
The president offered insight into the government's counterterrorism objectives, stating that the mission to protect the U.S. goes on on three main fronts: Attacking terrorists in their own territories, preventing them from getting into the U.S., and stepping up efforts to prevent attacks within the homeland.
Obama attempted to reassure Americans that his administration is doing all it can to protect the nation but that citizens should remain vigilant.
"We've prevailed over greater threats than this, and we'll prevail again," he added.
— The AP contributed to this report.