US News

Obama tells Leno terror warning ‘significant,’ but Americans shouldn’t cancel vacation plans

WASHINGTON – President Obama on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” made his first public statement on a frightening worldwide warning of an imminent terror attack, saying it’s “significant” but Americans should not cancel their vacation plans.

Obama told funnyman Leno tonight that the terror warning, which prompted an unprecedented closure of US embassies across the Muslim world and a global travel alert for Americans, was “significant enough that we’re taking every precaution.”

The president also tried to reassure unsettled by reports that al Qaeda was planning an “enormous” strike that officials have compared to 9-11.

“The odds of dying in a terrorist attack are a lot lower than they are of dying in a car accident, unfortunately,” said Obama.

Despite the looming threat, the president urged Americans to go on vacations but in a “prudent way” and to “show some common sense.”

He encouraged Americans to check the State Department Websites for daily updates before making plans and to recognize that some countries are more dangerous than others, though he didn’t give examples.

The warnings have been focused on the Middle East, with an emphasis on Yemen. But officials warn that the attack could occur anywhere.

Obama also defended the National Security Agency surveillance programs, which have come under fire since spy-secrets leaker Edward Snowden revealed they were collecting Americans phone and Internet data.

“We don’t have a domestic spying program. What we do have is some mechanisms that can track a phone number or an email address that is connected to a terroritst attack,” he said. “That information is useful.”

Obama also cracked a few jokes.

He said that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “had that post administration glow” when he invited her to the White House for lunch last week.

Leno asked the president if Clinton was there “measuring the drapes” in advance of a possible 2016 White House run.

“Keep in mind she’s been there. She doesn’t have to measure them,” quipped Obama.