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U.S. Intelligence Contradicts Trump’s Defense of Saudi Crown Prince in Khashoggi Murder
President Donald Trump dismissed a reporter’s question about the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a recent Oval Office meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, claiming the crown prince “knew nothing about it.” This assertion, however, directly contradicts conclusions reached by U.S. intelligence agencies.
During the November 18 state visit, when an ABC News reporter noted that U.S. intelligence had concluded the crown prince orchestrated Khashoggi’s murder, Trump intervened before the crown prince could respond.
“You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial,” Trump said. “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happened, but he knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that.”
The crown prince later addressed the question, describing the killing as “painful” and a “huge mistake,” adding that Saudi Arabia had taken steps to ensure similar incidents wouldn’t occur again.
Trump’s dismissal of Saudi responsibility stands in stark contrast to a declassified U.S. intelligence report released in February 2021, which explicitly stated: “We assess that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.”
The report based this assessment on several factors, including the crown prince’s control over Saudi decision-making, the involvement of his close advisers and members of his protective detail in the operation, and his documented support for using violent measures against dissidents abroad.
Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi regime who had gone into self-imposed exile in 2017, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018. Saudi officials initially denied his death before eventually acknowledging it was premeditated.
In November 2018, the Washington Post reported a CIA assessment had concluded with high confidence that Crown Prince Mohammed ordered the assassination. The intelligence included a phone call intercepted by U.S. intelligence from the crown prince’s brother to Khashoggi, encouraging him to visit the consulate and assuring his safety.
When questioned about this assessment during his first term, Trump equivocated, saying the CIA “did not come to a conclusion” and that Saudi officials “have vehemently denied it.”
However, after a classified briefing with then-CIA Director Gina Haspel in December 2018, several senators publicly expressed certainty about the crown prince’s involvement. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters, “I left the briefing with high confidence that my initial assessment of the situation is correct,” calling the crown prince “a wrecking ball” who was “complicit in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi to the highest level possible.”
Similarly, Republican Senator Bob Corker stated, “I have zero question in my mind that the Crown Prince MBS ordered the killing, monitored the killing, knew exactly what was happening, planned it in advance.”
A United Nations investigation in 2019 also concluded there was “credible evidence, warranting further investigation of high-level Saudi Officials’ individual liability, including the Crown Prince.” The report found it “inconceivable that an operation of this scale could be implemented without the Crown Prince being aware.”
Crown Prince Mohammed has consistently denied ordering Khashoggi’s killing, though he told PBS in 2019 that he accepted responsibility “because it happened under my watch.”
Saudi Arabia conducted trials related to the murder largely in secret, eventually sentencing eight individuals to prison terms ranging from seven to 20 years. Agnes Callamard, who led the UN investigation, criticized these proceedings as lacking “legal or moral legitimacy,” noting that the crown prince remained “well protected against any kind of meaningful scrutiny in his country.”
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10 Comments
The apparent contradiction between the president’s statements and the intelligence community’s assessment is concerning. It’s critical that the truth be uncovered and that appropriate accountability measures are taken, if warranted.
I agree. Transparency and an unwavering commitment to the truth should be the top priorities in this case, regardless of any political or diplomatic considerations.
The discrepancy between the president’s statements and the intelligence community’s conclusions is concerning. It’s crucial that the American public receives a clear and consistent understanding of the facts surrounding Khashoggi’s death.
Absolutely. Transparency and accountability should be the guiding principles in this case, regardless of any political or diplomatic considerations.
This is a sensitive and complex issue. While the president may have his own views, the intelligence community’s findings suggest the Saudi crown prince had knowledge of Khashoggi’s killing. It’s important to weigh all the evidence carefully.
I agree, this is a delicate situation that requires a nuanced assessment of the available information. It’s concerning if the president appears to be dismissing the intelligence community’s assessment.
This is a complex and sensitive issue, and it’s important that all available evidence is carefully examined. While the president may have his own perspective, the intelligence community’s findings deserve serious consideration.
This is an important issue that deserves careful, fact-based analysis. While the president may have his own views, the intelligence community’s findings should be given serious consideration before reaching any conclusions.
The discrepancy between the president’s position and the intelligence community’s conclusions is troubling. Transparency and accountability are crucial, especially when dealing with sensitive issues like this.
Exactly. The American public deserves a clear and consistent understanding of the facts surrounding Khashoggi’s death, regardless of any political considerations.