JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to THE LEAD. I'm Jake Tapper. Murdered American James Foley's mother is speaking out today and for the first time, she's publicly criticizing the U.S. government's handling of her son's captivity. In an exclusive interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Diane Foley says the Obama administration should have done more and actually handled the crisis poorly.</s>DIANE FOLEY, JAMES FOLEY'S MOTHER: We were told we could not raise ransom. That it was illegal. We might be prosecuted. We were told --</s>ANDERSON COOPER, COOPER: You were told you would actually be prosecuted if you raise ransom?</s>FOLEY: Yes. That was a real possibility. Told that many times. We were told that our government would not exchange prisoners, would not do a military action. So, we were just told to trust that he would be freed somehow. Miraculously and he wasn't, was he? And we're dealing with very difficult people when we talk about ISIS. Their hate for us is great. And yet, some of our response to them has only increased the hate. You know? So, I feel there's a need for debate, discussion. I -- I pray that our government would be willing to learn from the mistakes that were made and to acknowledge that there are better ways for American citizens to be treated.</s>JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Foley was captured in Syria two years ago and the terrorist group, ISIS, released a video of his beheading last month. Last night, President Obama called the killings of Foley and fellow journalist, Steven Sotloff, acts of barbarism. Tune in to "AC360" tonight at 8:00 when Anderson will have his full interview with Diane Foley and he'll also have reaction to the interview from the White House. Coming up, with all the talk in Washington and across the country focused on how to attack ISIS, is anyone asking whether military strikes or even the way to go? Stay with us.
James Foley's Mother Speaks To CNN