On December 6th, President Barack Obama issued his third address to the nation from the Oval Office. He spoke specifically about the recent terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California and the threat of terrorism in the US. Obama outlined the three strategies currently utilized by the US to defeat ISIS: racking terrorist plots, providing Iraqi and Syrian forces with equipment, and continuing to cut off finances and prevent more ISIS recruits. He then went on to address the fact that one of the terrorists involved in the San Bernardino attacks entered the US through a Visa program, which is now being carefully reviewed. Obama ended the speech by reminding America that we cannot turn against each other, and that we must continue carrying on the ideal of acceptance and equality for all that our nation was founded on.

The reaction to the speech varied but, typically, Americans were unhappy. The Republican party bashed the speech claiming Obama did not give the nation any new information on the strategies currently being taken against ISIS. The widely known Republican candidate Donald Trump took to his twitter, to live tweet the speech saying things like, “Is that all there is? We need a new President – FAST!” Donald Trump and other political figures also condemned Obama for his failure to use the term “Islamic Terrorism” as they say it is time to wake up and face the reality that US may be facing a war. Democrats were also disappointed at the lack of new information about measures being taken against the terrorist group. Some fear that this speech may be detrimental to their political party in 2016 presidential election.

America is split over how to deal with the issue at hand. On one end Americans are pushing to accept the thousands of refugees, while on another some are encouraging Donald Trump’s proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the US. Other controversial issues have also resurfaced after the recent attacks, such as gun control and visa programs. Overall, while some US citizens are no longer scared, they are unhappy. Obama’s speech from the Oval office may have patched up some of the fear, but it offered little information about whether or not America has been making progress against this threatening and far-reaching terrorist organization.