The terrorist group Islamic State released a video Tuesday apparently depicting the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff.
Sotloff, kneeling, says he is "paying the price" for the U.S. intervention in Iraq with his life.
"You've spent billions of U.S. taxpayers dollars and we've lost thousands of our troops in our previous fighting against the Islamic State," Sotfloff says. "So where is the people's interest in reigniting this war?"
Moments later, a hooded man dressed in black blames Obama before beheading Sotloff.
"I'm back, Obama, and I'm back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State," the man says.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that while the White House was not able to confirm the tape's authenticity, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Sotloff and Mr. Sotloff's family."
State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki: "If the video is genuine, we are sickened by this brutal act."
Sotloff, 31, appeared in a video released by the group last month that showed the beheading of another journalist, James Foley. The group had threatened to kill Sotloff next.
His mother, Shirley Sotloff, then released a video appealing to the Islamic State for his release.
"Steven has no control over the actions of the U.S. government. He's an innocent journalist," she said. "I've always learned that you, the caliph, can grant amnesty. I ask you to please release my child. As a mother, I ask your justice to be merciful and not punish my son for matters he has no control over."
Sotloff was kidnapped Aug. 4, 2013, near Aleppo, after crossing the Syrian border from Turkey.
