Republican Bob Corker and Democrat Bob Menendez, the respective chairman and ranking member of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, have called on President Donald Trump to determine whether or not the Saudi crown prince ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
In a pre-dawn letter to the White House on Wednesday, the senators invoked the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which compels the president to “determine whether a foreign person is responsible for extrajudicial killing, torture, or other gross violation of human rights against an individual exercising freedom of expression.”
The move came in response to a Tuesday statement on Saudi Arabia by Trump, in which he railed against Iran and stressed the importance of maintaining a lucrative alliance with Saudi Arabia. The statement included multiple exaggerations and falsehoods, from the death toll in Syria to the value of confirmed Saudi arms purchases. Trump also went further than any Saudi official in defaming Khashoggi.
Most important, the president sought to play down the US Central Intelligence Agency’s reported conclusions over the powerful crown prince’s role in the killing.
“We may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr Jamal Khashoggi,” Trump said, adding: “It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!”
The statement suggested there would be no level of culpability great enough to push Trump to endanger ties with the kingdom, days after multiple outlets reported that the CIA believed Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman personally ordered the killing.
Senator Corker responded within hours with a new escalation, tweeting that “‘Maybe he did and maybe he didn’t’ won’t cut it” and announcing the invocation of the Magnitsky Act.
“Maybe he did and maybe he didn’t” won’t cut it. So tonight, @SenatorMenendez and I sent a second Global Magnitsky letter to the president requiring that he specifically determine whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal #Khashoggi.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) November 21, 2018
Trump, who one month ago accused the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) of inflating oil prices, sang the praises of Saudi Arabia via Twitter on Wednesday.
“Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let’s go lower!”
Cooker is a fake republican who is being replaced by a real republican , so shut up and go away..
Cooker is a fake republican who is being replaced by a real republican , so shut up and go away..
The US is basically unhinged right now. Spectacular levels of incompetence in the White House and in the Senate. As China drops the ball on its own "charm offensive" the US just keeps reminding everyone that it can’t be trusted as it keeps electing Republican morons to the office of President.
The US is basically unhinged right now. Spectacular levels of incompetence in the White House and in the Senate. As China drops the ball on its own "charm offensive" the US just keeps reminding everyone that it can’t be trusted as it keeps electing Republican morons to the office of President.
"Maybe did know…maybe didn’t"…in the mean time Prince is about to behead 14 or so people (we never know who they are) for carrying out his order to Kill Khashogi….What a wonderful democracy we live in. Kill innocent people because we have lucrative contract with Saudi’s and protecting Israel… Where is American Human rights policy?
"Maybe did know…maybe didn’t"…in the mean time Prince is about to behead 14 or so people (we never know who they are) for carrying out his order to Kill Khashogi….What a wonderful democracy we live in. Kill innocent people because we have lucrative contract with Saudi’s and protecting Israel… Where is American Human rights policy?
The story of the corrupt corporate capitalist west.
The story of the corrupt corporate capitalist west.
Answer: in the asswhole of Jared,
Answer: in the asswhole of Jared,
Shaun==If America’s enemy hate president Trump, then that is all you need to realize that president Trump is doing an awesome job.
Shaun==If America’s enemy hate president Trump, then that is all you need to realize that president Trump is doing an awesome job.
I can not see how being friends with liars, murderers and war criminals will make America great again.
I can not see how being friends with liars, murderers and war criminals will make America great again.
hai Jeff,as we all know America killed millions of people on this planet since the world War so we can not care about a prince that suraly massacred and cut in peaces only one guy.And he has a lot of money so he can not be guilty in America stupid Cooker.
hai Jeff,as we all know America killed millions of people on this planet since the world War so we can not care about a prince that suraly massacred and cut in peaces only one guy.And he has a lot of money so he can not be guilty in America stupid Cooker.
Jeff Voeks Europe is not the American ennemy but we all hate Trump. He is a preening clueless clown, he is an incredible liar, vulgar and a disgrace to represent the Western World.
Jeff Voeks Europe is not the American ennemy but we all hate Trump. He is a preening clueless clown, he is an incredible liar, vulgar and a disgrace to represent the Western World.
That prince has a lot of money so he can not be guilty in America
That prince has a lot of money so he can not be guilty in America
Trump’s damaged US role as moral leader and judge in the world. He makes people believing that US now cares only money making. He said openly he needs SD’s big investment on US weapons, and would never allow any chance for Russia and China to creep in to repalce US . This kind of damage is once and for all. Whoever will listen to US talking of American value and universal principals?
Trump’s damaged US role as moral leader and judge in the world. He makes people believing that US now cares only money making. He said openly he needs SD’s big investment on US weapons, and would never allow any chance for Russia and China to creep in to repalce US . This kind of damage is once and for all. Whoever will listen to US talking of American value and universal principals?
There is talk here that the Prince has only killed one guy, have you forgotten the war crimes he has committed in Yemen. Just because we critise the prince, doesn’t mean we heap all our affection on Trump.
There is talk here that the Prince has only killed one guy, have you forgotten the war crimes he has committed in Yemen. Just because we critise the prince, doesn’t mean we heap all our affection on Trump.