Mother of slain journalist urges Trump to fill vacancy

ROCHESTER, N.H. – The mother of slain journalist James Foley is urging action on a position that has remained unfilled since President Donald Trump took office.

Rochester, New Hampshire, resident Diane Foley travelled to Washington to speak with hostage recovery and counterterrorism officials on Friday. The Portsmouth Herald reports (http://bit.ly/2wnPGcX ) she hopes to persuade officials to fill the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs position.

Saturday is the three-year anniversary of James Foley’s 2014 execution by the Islamic State group.

The position was created in 2015. Former U.S. Army military intelligence officer Julia Nesheiwat currently serves as the acting envoy. Diane Foley says reform is still needed in order to ensure more Americans are brought home safely.