The execution of American journalist James Foley represents a "terrorist attack" against the United States, the White House said Friday, three days after ISIL terrorists released a video of his beheading.

The execution of American journalist James Foley repesents a "terrorist attack" against the United States, the White House said Friday, three days after ISIL terrorists released a video of his beheading.

"When you see somebody killed in such a horrific way, that represents a terrorist attack -- that represents a terrorist attack against our country and against an American citizen," Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said.