Obama Calls Bomb Attempt on Plane 'Serious Reminder' of Terrorist Threat

"A full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism, and we will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable," said Obama, speaking in Hawaii where he is vacationing with his family.

Shortly before Obama spoke, a branch of al Qaeda in Yemen said it was behind the bomb attempt, called the suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, "our Nigerian brother," and said he used a device that they manufactured.

"This was a serious reminder of the dangers that we face and the nature of those who threaten our homeland," Obama said. "Had the suspect succeeded in bringing down that plane, it could have killed nearly 300 passengers and crew, innocent civilians preparing to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends."

Obama said he had ordered a review of the terrorist watch list system and of screening methods and policy in the wake of the incident, where passengers and crew subdued Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian charged Saturday by the Department of Justice. Abdulmutallab was in a federal terrorist database-but not on the much smaller no-fly list.

Seeking to reassure Americans traveling during the busy holiday season, Obama said "we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season."

Abdulmutallab had flown from Lagos, Nigeria to Amsterdam, where he boarded Flight 253 bound for Detroit. Abdulmutallab told authorities he got his bomb making materials in Yemen. The material was sewn into his pants, federal authorities said.

Obama said that right after the incident an alert went out to all flights in the air and additional air marshals were immediately put on planes. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Sunday there was no air marshal on Flight 253.

Obama also said he ordered his national security team to "keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country," as the U.S. keeps pressure on any threat "to disrupt, to dismantle, to defeat" the U.S. from Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan or "anywhere."

The Yemeni military, with help from the United States, has carried out two strikes against al-Qaeda targets in recent weeks, for which the group had vowed revenge. The most recent strike, just before Christmas Eve, targeted a radical cleric tied to Maj. Nasan, who allegedly shot and killed 12 U.S. military personnel at Fort Hood in November.