Trump promises ‘severe punishment’ for Saudis if they killed ‘reporter’ Khashoggi
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — US President Donald Trump vowed to punish Saudi Arabia if they are behind the disappearance and possible killing of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi.
"Could it be them? Yes," said Trump in video interview released by American broadcaster CBS.
Trump said the situation is being examined "very, very strongly."
Khashoggi, a Saudi national and US resident, entered the Saudi Embassy in Turkey on October 2. His fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, told AP on Friday that he went to the consulate to obtain paperwork required to marry her. He has not been seen or heard from since.
"Well, nobody knows yet, but we'll probably be able to find out,” Trump said.
Media outlets have speculated that Khashoggi was lured to the embassy only to be killed by his fellow countrymen because of criticism of the Saudi royal family.
"And we would be very upset and angry if that were the case," said Trump.
His son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner recently spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin al-Salman.
"They deny it. They deny it every way you can imagine,” President Trump said of the call.
The US government has been hesitant to lay blame or make predictions until they “have the facts” because of ongoing investigations by Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
"In the not too distant future, I think we'll know an answer,” said Trump.
“And you know what, there are other ways of punishing, to use a pretty harsh word, but it’s true,” he said.
Trump, who routinely mocks and derides members of the media particularly in Washington, took a more even tone calling Khashoggi a “reporter.”
"There's a lot at stake," Mr. Trump continued. "And, maybe especially so because this man was a reporter. There's something, you'll be surprised to hear me say that, there's something really terrible and disgusting about that if that was the case."
"Could it be them? Yes," said Trump in video interview released by American broadcaster CBS.
Trump said the situation is being examined "very, very strongly."
Khashoggi, a Saudi national and US resident, entered the Saudi Embassy in Turkey on October 2. His fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, told AP on Friday that he went to the consulate to obtain paperwork required to marry her. He has not been seen or heard from since.
"Well, nobody knows yet, but we'll probably be able to find out,” Trump said.
Media outlets have speculated that Khashoggi was lured to the embassy only to be killed by his fellow countrymen because of criticism of the Saudi royal family.
"And we would be very upset and angry if that were the case," said Trump.
His son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner recently spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin al-Salman.
"They deny it. They deny it every way you can imagine,” President Trump said of the call.
The US government has been hesitant to lay blame or make predictions until they “have the facts” because of ongoing investigations by Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
"In the not too distant future, I think we'll know an answer,” said Trump.
Trump did not rule out sanctions against Riyadh, as a bipartisan group of US senators have proposed, but indicated sanctions which could hurt domestic jobs in the defense and manufacturing sectors would be detrimental.
“And you know what, there are other ways of punishing, to use a pretty harsh word, but it’s true,” he said.
Trump, who routinely mocks and derides members of the media particularly in Washington, took a more even tone calling Khashoggi a “reporter.”
"There's a lot at stake," Mr. Trump continued. "And, maybe especially so because this man was a reporter. There's something, you'll be surprised to hear me say that, there's something really terrible and disgusting about that if that was the case."