The imagery is striking—the four cops are stand behind Grinnell in black hoods, masks or shades so that their faces are covered, and the way in which Grinnell speaks brings to mind terrorist gangsters, and not police officers.

It was the president's toughest talk yet about the threat of terrorism in America.

  Two years ago, President Barack Obama, days after a surprise visit to Kabul, stood boldly and declared that “the tide of war has turned…