WASHINGTON, DC (WMOT/AP) -- Tennessee Senator Bob Corker is again calling on President Donald Trump to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi.
Corker was one of eight senators briefed by CIA Director Gina Haspel Tuesday concerning the reporter’s October death in a Saudi consulate. Corker left that briefing saying he had no doubt ruling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was involved.
“Ordered the killing, monitored the killing, knew exactly what was happening and planned it in advance. If he was in front of jury he would be convicted in 30 minutes…guilty.”
President Trump has so far declined to confront Saudi Arabia about Khashoggi’s death. Trump has cited possible damage to the U.S. economy through the loss of Saudi weapons sales should the U.S. sanction the Kingdom. But Senator Corker says that emphasis is sending the wrong message.
“It would be much better if the Commander in Chief would stand up and say to the world, ‘We don’t condone the killing – the ordering and the killing and dismemberment of journalists. We don’t condone that.”
The president’s approach to the Saudi scandal has its supporters. Utah Republican Congressional Rep. Chris Stewart told CNN Tuesday that it's not unusual for journalists to disappear. Stewart went on to say that the priority needs to be protecting U.S. interests.
Senator Rand Paul expressed anger that Tuesday’s briefing by the CIA was limited to just eight senators. He called that closed briefing the "definition of the deep state."
Senate Democrats are now calling for Haspel to brief the entire Senate on the Khashoggi murder.
Would you like to view Sen. Bob Corker's full comments to reporters following the CIA Khashoggi briefing via C-Span?