Updated: Wednesday, November 25, 2015, 11:20 PM
Federal law enforcement authorities "know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the U.S. homeland" ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, President Obama announced Wednesday.
"As Americans travel this weekend, I want them to know that authorities … at every level are working overtime and continually monitoring threats at home and abroad and continually evaluating our security posture and constantly working to protect all of us," Obama said at a White House press conference.
"Right now, we know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the homeland and that is based on the latest information I just received," he added.
Authorities across the nation have remained on high alert in the 12 days since ISIS terrorists carried out multiple terrorist attacks in Paris, killing 130 people and injuring scores of others. The President said it's understandable people would "worry that something similar could happen here."
"But as we go into Thanksgiving weekend, I want the American people to know that we are taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe," he said, adding that, "in the event of a specific credible threat, the public will be informed."
Obama's announcement, coming on one of the biggest travel days of the year and after the President met with his national security advisers for more than an hour, appears to be an effort to soothe fears of a potential terrorist attack during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Despite the heightened concerns over terrorism, nearly 47 million people in the U.S. are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the holiday week, starting Wednesday, the American Automobile Association has forecast, making 2015 the seventh straight year with an increase in the number of travelers taking to the skies and road.
Travelers will, however, be making their holiday treks under an ominous new warning from the U.S. State Department.
On Monday, the agency issued a global travel alert to U.S. citizens, warning of the increased likelihood of terror attacks across the world.
The terse warning, posted on the State Department website, said American travelers should use "particular caution" in the coming weeks and through Feb. 24.
"Current information suggests that (ISIS), Al Qaeda, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions," the State Department wrote.
The possible attacks could include "a wide variety of tactics ... targeting both official and private interests," the warning added.
In the New York region, in particular, airports are set to be packed with more fliers this year — the Port Authority said Tuesday that 1.4 million people in total are scheduled to use area airports. That is a more than 50,000 boost over last Turkey Day, according to the Port Authority.