Trump says he knows 'nothing' about missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, hasn't asked the Saudis about it yet
Several high-ranking U.S. officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plus a bipartisan group of senators and House members, have expressed alarm over the disappearance of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last week. Khashoggi disappeared Oct. 2 during a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and Turkish authorities say they believe Saudi Arabia killed and dismembered or abducted the journalist, who's been critical of the Saudi government and powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudis deny this.
On Tuesday night, Khashoggi's fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, implored President Trump in an op-ed in The Washington Post, Khashoggi's employer, to "help shed some light on Jamal's disappearance." But Trump said he's in the dark like everyone else. "I know nothing, I know what everybody else knows," the president said Tuesday. He said he hasn't spoken to the Saudis about the disappearance yet, but he will "at some point." On Monday, Trump said he doesn't "like hearing about it, and hopefully that will sort itself out." Trump's "almost blasé tenor has concerned press advocates," who warn that his seeming disinterest in the case will be seen by the Saudis as a green light to continue targeting journalists and dissidents, Politico reports.
Turkish officials are taking the lead on investigating Khashoggi's disappearance, and while they haven't been able to find security camera footage of him leaving the building and the Saudis have not provided any proof he ever did, Turkish police do have footage of a Mercedes Vito van with tinted windows that entered and left the Saudi consulate hours after Khashoggi entered. The footage of the van has led investigators to "examine the possibility that — alive or dead — the journalist was spirited away," The Wall Street Journal reports, citing two Turkish officials briefed on the probe. "Before Khashoggi's disappearance," the Post reports, "U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture him."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump gets $289M break, first criminal trial date
Speed Read The former president's fraud bond has been reduced to $175 million from $464 million
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US-Israel rift widens after UN cease-fire resolution
Speed Read The U.S. declined to veto a U.N. resolution calling for a two-week "immediate cease-fire" in Gaza
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump-RNC pact puts Trump legal bills ahead of GOP
Speed Read The former president has struck a deal with the Republican National Committee to put donations toward his legal bills
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Vietnam president resigns amid scandal
Speed Read Vietnam loses its second president in two years as Vo Van Thuong steps down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Texas migrant law in limbo after Supreme Court OK
Speed Read The law has been blocked again, mere hours after the Supreme Court allowed the state to arrest migrants
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published