Before Watching House of Cards, Brush Up on How Season 4 Ends

. . . and Frank responds in kind. Well, not really in kind. He and Claire knew the article's fallout would be devastating so close to the election. Rather than focus on defending themselves, they decide to "attack the hearts" of the public with more fear over the growing ICO terrorist threat and conveniently distract the country from the Herald's story. Frank gives a speech to the nation about never backing down from ICO, no matter the consequences, and says the country is at total war.

As a result of the speech, James Miller is executed on live television by his captors while the whole country watches in horror. With one speech, Frank moves the public's focus away from his problem and back to an international one. He challenges the ICO terrorists into an act of violence that he can now use an excuse for retaliation and comes off looking like a strong leader to the country.