Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., sharply criticized the White House following President Trump’s announcement that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would not face any punishment over the death of Saudi Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
“I never thought I’d see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia,” Corker tweeted Tuesday.
[Related: Mitt Romney denounces Trump’s response to Saudi murder of Khashoggi]
I never thought I’d see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/MQ4JsoQtqk
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) November 20, 2018
Earlier Tuesday, Trump suggested there was a possibility that the crown prince did not have knowledge of Khashoggi’s death, even though the CIA compiled an assessment that reportedly determined the crown prince ordered Khashoggi’s death. Trump also argued that the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia was critical in defeating terrorism.
“King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi,” Trump said. “Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the crown prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!”
“The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel, and all other partners in the region,” he said. “It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!”
Other Republican lawmakers have also been critical of Trump’s remarks, including Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Democrats have also condemned Trump’s statement, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is seeking to introduce a measure that would share the findings of the intelligence community concerning Khashoggi’s death.
Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the crown prince and the Saudi government, disappeared on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to receive paperwork for his upcoming wedding to his Turkish fiancee.
The Washington Post reported Friday that the CIA determined with high confidence that the crown prince was responsible for Khashoggi’s assassination. However, the crown prince has denied he was responsible.
Corker, who did not seek reelection in the 2018 midterm election, has been critical of Trump and has previously called the White House an “an adult day care center.” Trump has also criticized Corker and claimed the Tennessean “couldn’t get elected dog catcher.”
