By Tom Cohen, CNN.
CNN’s Jessica Yellin and Jim Acosta contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Barack Obama said Monday he ordered the “full resources” of the federal government to respond to the Boston bombings on Monday, including increased security around the United States as necessary.
Pledging a full investigation to find out what happened, Obama said any individuals or groups responsible for what he called the “senseless” loss will “feel the full weight of justice.”
The president spoke to reporters at the White House a few hours after explosions rocked an area near the finish line of Monday’s Boston Marathon.
“I’ve directed the full resources of the federal government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States, as necessary, and investigate what happened,” Obama said.
Saying that “we still do not know who did this or why,” Obama urged against jumping to conclusions in his statement that refrained from calling the explosions terrorism.
“But make no mistake: we will get to the bottom of this, and we will find out who did this,” Obama said. “We’ll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups, will feel the full weight of justice.”
A White House official said after Obama spoke that “any event with multiple explosive devices as this appears to be is clearly an act of terror and will be approached as an act of terror.”
“However, we don’t yet know who carried out this attack and a thorough investigation will have to determine whether it was planned and carried out by a terrorist group foreign or domestic,” the official said on condition of not being identified.
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This is the full transcript of President Obama’s statement, from WhiteHouse.gov:
Good afternoon, everybody. Earlier today, I was briefed by my homeland security team on the events in Boston. We’re continuing to monitor and respond to the situation as it unfolds. And I’ve directed the full resources of the federal government to help state and local authorities protect our people, increase security around the United States as necessary, and investigate what happened.
The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight. And Michelle and I send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims in the wake of this senseless loss.
We don’t yet have all the answers. But we do know that multiple people have been wounded, some gravely, in explosions at the Boston Marathon.
I’ve spoken to FBI Director Mueller and Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano, and they’re mobilizing the appropriate resources to investigate and to respond.
I’ve updated leaders of Congress in both parties, and we reaffirmed that on days like this there are no Republicans or Democrats — we are Americans, united in concern for our fellow citizens.
I’ve also spoken with Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino, and made it clear that they have every single federal resource necessary to care for the victims and counsel the families. And above all, I made clear to them that all Americans stand with the people of Boston.
Boston police, firefighters, and first responders as well as the National Guard responded heroically, and continue to do so as we speak. It’s a reminder that so many Americans serve and sacrifice on our behalf every single day, without regard to their own safety, in dangerous and difficult circumstances. And we salute all those who assisted in responding so quickly and professionally to this tragedy.
We still do not know who did this or why. And people shouldn’t jump to conclusions before we have all the facts. But make no mistake — we will get to the bottom of this. And we will find out who did this; we’ll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.
Today is a holiday in Massachusetts — Patriots’ Day. It’s a day that celebrates the free and fiercely independent spirit that this great American city of Boston has reflected from the earliest days of our nation. And it’s a day that draws the world to Boston’s streets in a spirit of friendly competition. Boston is a tough and resilient town. So are its people. I’m supremely confident that Bostonians will pull together, take care of each other, and move forward as one proud city. And as they do, the American people will be with them every single step of the way.
You should anticipate that as we get more information, our teams will provide you briefings. We’re still in the investigation stage at this point. But I just want to reiterate we will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable.
Thank you very much.
