A House Republican suggested Tuesday that President Trump’s response to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was justified because reporters frequently vanish in countries with weak press protections.
“We have to have a relationship with some players that we don’t agree with,” Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said during an interview with CNN. “Journalists disappear all over the country; 20 have been killed in Mexico. You don’t think it happens in Turkey and China? Of course it does. And yet we have to have a relationship with these individuals and with these countries.”
Stewart’s comments came after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed key senators and national security panel heads Tuesday on the spy agency’s findings that concluded with “high confidence” that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi to be killed.
[Related: GOP senators think Saudi’s crown prince is guilty of Khashoggi murder after CIA briefing]
Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and former Washington Post columnist who was critical of the Saudi government, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was supposed to collect paperwork ahead of his wedding to his Turkish fiancee. Khashoggi was reportedly murdered by a group of 15 operatives linked to Crown Prince Mohammed. The Saudi royal family has denied having any connection to Khashoggi’s death.
Trump has been widely slammed for taking a soft stance against Saudi Arabia amid the controversy, issuing a statement in which he said the U.S. stood with the kingdom. The White House was also questioned over why it did not include Haspel in an all-senators briefing last week with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Both the CIA and White House denied there being any Interference.
Stewart said on Tuesday that Trump should take “appropriate” action against Saudi Arabia, adding that a complete understanding of the facts was also needed.
“We have to on one hand hold them accountable, including the crown prince, for whatever action he may have been involved with and, at the same time, what is protecting U.S. interests and what is going to counter Shia extremists?” Stewart said. “What will help bring an end to the war in Yemen? You have to balance all of those considerations as we move forward on this.”
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article mischaracterized Jamal Khashoggi’s residency. The Washington Examiner regrets the error.
