GOP senators confident Saudi crown prince was responsible for Khashoggi killing after CIA briefing
The Trump administration contends there's no direct evidence connecting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But after a briefing from the CIA, key members of the GOP came away with a very different conclusion.
CIA Director Gina Haspel held a closed-door meeting with some members of the Senate Tuesday, and they emerged more confident than ever that bin Salman is responsible for the journalist's murder. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Trump advocate, said he's "confident" of the crown prince's involvement and said one would have to be "willfully blind" to think otherwise, reports ABC News. There is "zero chance, zero, that this happened in such an organized fashion without the crown prince," Graham declared, adding that he would really "question someone's judgment" if they couldn't "figure this out."
"There's no smoking gun," said Graham. "There's a smoking saw." After Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi, his body was reportedly cut up with a bone saw, per The New York Times. Defense Secretary James Mattis said last week there was "no smoking gun" implicating bin Salman.
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.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) agreed with Graham, saying there is "no doubt" that bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's murder and "knew what was happening all the way along," NPR's Tim Mak reports. In fact, Corker suggested the evidence against the crown prince is so strong that if he went in front of a jury, he would be convicted of murder "in 30 minutes."
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
Speed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published