Freedom, itself, was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended. I want to reassure the American people that the full resources of the Federal Government are working to assist local authorities to save lives and to help the victims of these attacks. Make no mistake: The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.
I've been in regular contact with the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the national security team, and my Cabinet. We have taken all appropriate security precautions to protect the American people. Our military at home and around the world is on high-alert status, and we have taken the necessary security precautions to continue the functions of your Government.
We have been in touch with the leaders of Congress and with world leaders to assure them that we will do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans.
I ask the American people to join me in saying a thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a prayer for the victims and their families.
The resolve of our great Nation is being tested. But make no mistake: We will show the world that we will pass this test.
God bless.
NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the Dougherty Center. At 9:40 a.m., subsequent to the President's remarks in Sarasota, FL, American Airlines Flight 77, scheduled from Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, crashed into the Pentagon. At 10:07 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93, scheduled from Newark International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, crashed near Shanksville, PA.
George W. Bush, Remarks at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on the Terrorist Attacks Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/216402
