Wyden Statement In Response to Khashoggi Announcement

Wyden Intends to Introduce Legislation to Require Public Assessment Next week

Washington, D.C. –Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s announcement today giving Saudi Arabia a pass for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi:

“Donald Trump’s statement makes clear that he does not care who ordered the brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

“Putting America first does not include subservience to the leaders of an authoritarian and murderous monarchy. Under Donald Trump’s reasoning, there is no atrocity Saudi Arabia can commit that will lead the U.S. to act independently, according to our own values and interests.

“I reject that reasoning. Giving the Saudis a free pass here reveals this administration’s crippling weakness, even in the face of the murder of a journalist and U.S. resident.

“I renew my call for CIA Director Haspel and DNI Coats to state publicly what the U.S. Intelligence Community believes about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. If they will not, I intend to offer legislation to require the IC to release an unclassified public assessment of who ordered Mr. Khashoggi’s killing when the Senate returns next week.”

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