Early this week, the President instructed his National Security team to take all appropriate steps to protect the American people in light of a potential threat occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. Given the nature of the potential threat, throughout the week, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco has held regular meetings with relevant members of the interagency to ensure the U.S. Government is taking those appropriate steps. This afternoon, National Security Advisor Rice chaired a meeting with the Principals Committee to further review the situation and follow-up actions. The President has received frequent briefings over the last week on all aspects of the potential threat and our preparedness measures. After today's Principals meeting, the President was again briefed by Amb. Rice and Ms. Monaco.

Attendees at today’s meeting included:

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough National Security Advisor Susan Rice Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President Jeff Prescott Secretary of State John Kerry Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Robert Mueller Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan Director of the National Security Agency Keith Alexander Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Matthew Olsen Acting Assistant Attorney General John Carlin