President Barack Obama on Wednesday promised to help France “hunt down” the gunmen who stormed the offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, killing up to 12 people.
The President began by offering his “to the people of Paris and the people of France,” describing France as one of America’s best allies in the global war on terror since Sept. 11, 2001.
“For us to see the kind of cowardly, evil attacks that took place today reinforces once again why it’s so important for us to stand in solidarity with them just as they stand in solidarity with us,” he said.
He called the attack on the satirical paper an assault on freedom of expression and the free press, values that America has long shared with France.
The President said he plans to talk with Secretary of State John Kerry on how to help “hunt down and bring the perpetrators of this specific act to justice.”
“Our counter-terrorism cooperation with France is excellent. We will provide
them with every bit of assistance we can going forward,” he said.