The father of slain ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller has accused the Obama administration of putting its policy of not paying ransoms "in front of American citizens' lives." In an exclusive interview with NBC's "Today" show, Carl Mueller said he had mixed feelings about the government's refusal to negotiate with terrorist groups who kidnapped foreigners. Other Western countries are known to have paid millions to secure the release of their nationals. "We understand the policy about not paying ransom," he said. "But on the other hand, any parents out there would understand that you would want anything and everything done to bring your child home. And we tried. And we asked. But they put policy in front of American citizens' lives." In a letter sent to her family last spring, Mueller, who was captured in Syria in August 2013, wrote: "I DO NOT want the negotiations for my release to be your duty, if there is any other option take it, even if it takes more time."
