Trump Says Report on Khashoggi's Murder Will Be Ready in Two Days

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated on Saturday, November 17, that his administration will complete the report and assessments related to the murder of the journalist critical of the Saudi Crown Prince within the next two days. Mr. Trump told reporters, "We will have a complete report in the next two days, probably Monday or Tuesday." He added that the report will specify "who did this." In the past two days, U.S. media reported that the CIA has concluded that Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. However, the Trump administration claims it has not yet reached a final conclusion on who was involved in the murder of the critical journalist. The Washington Post: CIA believes Mohammed bin Salman is the mastermind behind Khashoggi's murder. Donald Trump, on November 17, told reporters that this murder "should never have happened." Jamal Khashoggi, who was once an advisor to the Saudi government, moved to Washington shortly after Mohammed bin Salman came to power and continued his writing and journalism there. He was considered a critic of the Crown Prince, and the influential newspaper "Washington Post" dedicated a column to his writings. Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October to carry out paperwork and was killed by a professional group inside the consulate. Despite changes in the intelligence mechanisms of Saudi Arabia and the arrest of several individuals, attention in this murder is focused on the Crown Prince; he is facing widespread criticism from some of the same allies who consider him an important ally of the U.S. and the West. The Saudi government insists that its Crown Prince was unaware of the murder. The Washington Post and then several other American media reported on November 25, citing news sources, that the CIA, in its investigations into Khashoggi's murder, concluded that Mohammed bin Salman ordered his killing. Now, the U.S. State Department has issued a statement saying, "Recent reports indicating that the U.S. government has reached a final conclusion are incorrect." Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the State Department, emphasized on Saturday that her government intends to hold "all those involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi accountable." She added that there are still some questions that have not been answered. Ms. Nauert stated that the State Department will continue its efforts to uncover the facts and will consult with Congress and other countries to ensure that "whoever was involved in this murder is held accountable." Sarah Sanders, the White House spokesperson, also stated that Trump has spoken with the CIA director and his Secretary of State. Ms. Sanders, without providing details, said the President trusts the work of his country's intelligence agency. U.S. lawmakers and politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties have urged Trump not to go easy on the Crown Prince. Bob Corker, the Republican Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, tweeted on Saturday, "Everything points to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, MBS (Mohammed bin Salman), in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post journalist. The Trump administration must reach a credible conclusion regarding those responsible for this murder before MBS executes individuals who apparently carried out his orders." The U.S. government has emphasized that those involved in Khashoggi's murder must face the consequences of their actions and has sanctioned 17 individuals in this regard. However, the government in Washington has also stressed the importance of the strategic relations between the two countries and arms sales to Saudi Arabia.