Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Tuesday lashed out at President Trump on Twitter after he announced the United States will not punish Saudi Arabia’s crown prince over the murder of dissident Jamal Khashoggi.
“The President indicates that Saudi Arabia is the lesser two evils compared to Iran and so the U.S. won’t punish Saudi Arabia for the brutal killing and dismemberment of a dissident journalist in their consulate,” Paul tweeted Tuesday. “I disagree.”
“I’m pretty sure this statement is Saudi Arabia First, not America First. I’m also pretty sure John Bolton wrote it,” Paul added, referring to Trump’s national security adviser.
We should, at the very least, NOT reward Saudi Arabia with our sophisticated armaments that they in turn use to bomb civilians.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 20, 2018
I will continue to press for legislation to stop the Saudi arms sales and the war in Yemen.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 20, 2018
Paul said he would continue his push, so far unsuccessful, to pass a bill banning U.S. sales of arms to Saudi Arabia or U.S. funding to help Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the war in Yemen.
Paul launched the tweetstorm after Trump issued a statement entitled “America First!” and defended his decision to continue to treat the country like a valued ally. He has been a staunch critic of the Saudi government and said he believes there is overwhelming evidence Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi’s murder.
