Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Donald Trump for supporting the Saudi Crown Prince in relation to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This rebuke followed Trump’s defense of Mohammed Bin Salman, who the CIA implicated in Khashoggi’s brutal murder and dismemberment.
During Salman’s visit to the White House, Trump made light of the situation, claiming that Salman was unaware of the events, stating, “Things happen.”
Pence, speaking after an address at the Chatham House Think Tank in London, distanced himself from Trump’s comments. He emphasized that he would not have made such a statement and indicated that he lacked insight into the intelligence that influenced Trump’s remarks. Pence stressed the importance of the US-Saudi relationship but hinted that he would have handled the situation differently if he had been in Trump’s position.
Upon Salman’s arrival, Trump warmly welcomed him with a flypast of military jets and a ceremonial reception. Trump characterized Khashoggi as a controversial figure disliked by many before asserting that Salman had no involvement in the journalist’s demise.
Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, to obtain marriage documents. Evidence suggests he was murdered and dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate. Turkish authorities found proof of the murder and attempts to conceal it. The UN later attributed the “premeditated extrajudicial execution” of Khashoggi to the Saudi government.
In response to inquiries about the murder, Trump criticized the reporter, labeling the question as insubordinate and threatening ABC’s broadcasting license. Salman acknowledged the murder as a grave mistake and assured that steps were being taken to prevent a recurrence.
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