Trump Emphasizes 'Severe Punishment' for Saudi Arabia if Jamal Khashoggi is Killed

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, emphasized that Washington will uncover the truth about the case of Jamal Khashoggi, the abducted Saudi journalist, and if it is determined that he has been murdered, those responsible for the killing will face 'severe punishment.' In an interview with CBS News, parts of which were released on Saturday morning, Trump stated that his administration is closely pursuing the Khashoggi case and that he would be very angry if it is concluded that the Saudi government ordered his murder. He added, 'So far they [the Saudi government] have denied this matter. They are denying it vehemently. Now, could it be their doing? Yes.' Khashoggi, a prominent journalist and critic of the current Saudi rulers and a columnist for the Washington Post, entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 1 to obtain documents that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiancée, but he never returned. On Friday, CNN reported, citing an informed source, that Turkish officials have audio and video evidence proving that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. This source, who is a member of a Western intelligence agency, stated that the obtained audio and video show an attack on Jamal Khashoggi inside the consulate and a struggle with him. The moment of his killing was also recorded. He described the images and audio as shocking and disgusting. Saudi officials have strongly denied any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance, claiming that he left the Saudi consulate that afternoon. However, his fiancée, who was waiting outside the consulate, insists that Khashoggi did not exit through the consulate door. Turkey has also demanded that Saudi officials prove he left the consulate. This incident has put the United States in a difficult position, as Washington has close ties with Riyadh and considers it a strategic ally in the Middle East. CNN notes that Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have personal and business relationships with Saudi Arabia. Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, spoke by phone with Kushner and John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, on Tuesday. Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, has also spoken with him. When a CBS reporter asked Trump if bin Salman denied Saudi involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance, he replied, 'They have denied it. They have denied it in every way you can imagine. I think we will get answers to our questions in the not-too-distant future.' The U.S. President has faced pressure from representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties in Congress, who have called for a tough response from Washington towards Riyadh. Trump has so far rejected the option of sanctioning Saudi Arabia, stating that he cannot jeopardize the $110 billion arms sale contract with Riyadh, as it helps create jobs in the country and that if canceled, Riyadh could purchase weapons from U.S. rivals like China and Russia. He stated, 'There are other ways to punish... There are many risks involved. Perhaps because that man was a journalist. You would be surprised to hear me say there is a very horrifying and disgusting issue regarding this matter, if it is indeed what we have learned. In any case, we will see. We will get to the bottom of it, and then there will be severe punishment for those responsible.' Trump mentioned on Friday that he has not yet spoken with King Salman of Saudi Arabia about this matter but will do so soon.