In a statement from the White House briefing room this afternoon, President Obama said the U.S. is prepared to take “targeted and precise” military action in Iraq, but reinforced his earlier decision that American troops will not be returning to combat in the region.
The broadcast and cable news networks all had live coverage of the President’s remarks. The press conference was originally scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and was pushed back more than an hour.
George Stephanopoulos anchored on ABC News, with Martha Raddatz in Baghdad and Jon Karl at the White House. On NBC, Brian Williams anchored from New York with Chuck Todd at the White House and Richard Engel in Baghdad. Sharon Alfonsi anchored on CBS with Major Garrett at the White House and Clarissa Ward in Baghdad. Bill Hemmer anchored a special report from New York for Fox affiliates.
On the cable news networks: Ronan Farrow anchored from New York on MSNBC, Jake Tapper anchored from Washington on CNN and Jon Scott and Jenna Lee anchored on Fox News.
Obama took questions from Coleen McCain Nelson of the Wall Street Journal, CNN senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta, Juliet Eilperin of The Washington Post and Peter Maer of CBS News.