Trump calls Khashoggi killing ‘worst cover-up ever’
US president suggests Saudi crown prince was involved in journalist’s death
Donald Trump has referred to the suspected murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as “the worst cover-up ever”, after the US announced sanctions and repercussions for a number of Saudi officials.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US will be revoking the visas of those accused of murdering the Washington Post journalist, who vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October. Pompeo said that the administration has “identified at least some of the individuals responsible”, CNN reports.
A US State Department spokesman declined to name the 21 officials so far believed to be involved, citing US law that says “visa confidentiality ... prohibits us from discussing individual visa cases”.
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.
Speaking from the Oval Office yesterday, President Trump spoke bluntly of the botched assassination: “It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups,” he said “It's very simple.”
Asked by the Wall Street Journal about the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s possible involvement, Trump said: “Well, the prince is running things over there more so at this stage. He’s running things and so if anybody were going to be [involved], it would be him.”
Pressed on whether he believed Bin Salman’s denials that he ordered the execution or knew about it beforehand, the US president “paused for several seconds”, says The Guardian, before saying: “I want to believe them. I really want to believe them.”
Despite his criticism of the Saudi regime, Trump has continued to highlight the kingdom’s importance to the US as a key ally in the Middle East throughout the Khashoggi crisis, referring multiple times to planned weapons deals between the two countries.
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
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published