Vice President Joe Biden issued a strong statement on the Islamic State, the militant group formerly known as ISIS, saying the U.S. "will follow them to the gates of Hell."
Giving a Monday speech at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, Biden began his remarks by remembering journalist Steven Sotloff, who was beheaded by a member of the Islamic State. A video of Sotloff's killing was released Tuesday, just weeks after video emerged of a member of the group executing journalist James Foley.
"When these barbarians replicated with Steven what they did with Foley... they somehow think that it's going to lessen U.S. resolve, frighten us, intimidate us," Biden said, noting "they don't know us very well" and mentioning how the U.S. "came back" after 9/11 and the Boston Marathon bombings.
“Today, the American people may be grieving... but the American people are so much stronger, so much more resolved than any enemy can fully understand,” Biden said. “As a nation we are united and when people harm Americans we don’t retreat, we don’t forget. We take care of those who are grieving and when that’s finished, they should know we will follow them to the gates of hell until they are brought to justice because hell is where they will reside. Hell is where they will reside."
Watch a clip of Biden's comments above.