Saudi mystery creates gap between Trump and GOP

The mysterious disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Turkey widens a gap between President TrumpDonald John TrumpAuthor's Keynote Debate in Arizona Senate A major Hollywood arts firm is considering rejecting Saudi investments: the Mattis report said it thought "nothing at all" about the fact that Trump could leave the administration. MORE and the Republican members of Congress, who demand an aggressive response from the United States if Saudi Arabia is held responsible for the alleged murder.

Trump said Tuesday that Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, had denied any information on the fate of Khashoggi, a statement that indicates for the second day in a row that the president is comfortable with the explanations of the Saudi government.

"I just spoke to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what had happened in his Turkish consulate," Trump wrote on Twitter. He added that the Crown Prince had told the Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoNight Defense: Trump claims "dishonest killers" could be behind missing journalist | Sends Pompeo to meet the Saudi king | Saudis could say Khashoggi was killed by accident | The ex-VA leader speaks of chaos at the White House | Most F-35s allowed to fly According to a flying GOP strategist, Trump takes the "proper stance" with Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Embassy in Washington cancels the celebration of the national holiday while the missing journalist has failed that his Government would rapidly expand an investigation and that the answers would be "forthcoming".

Later, Trump said in an interview with the Associated Press that blaming Saudi Arabia for the disappearance of Khashoggi is another example of "guilt until proven otherwise", an allusion to the allegations of sexual misconduct formulated last month against the Supreme Court judge. Brett KavanaughBrett Michael Kavanaugh Live presentation: McSally confronts Sinema in Arizona Senate debate Party fears the party is heading for Avenatti's booty Avenatti's slashhammer Countdown to elections: Cruz and O & # 39; Rourke fight at a turning point | Ryan on the run for vulnerable Republicans | Poll shows Biden topping Dem 2020 | Senate debate of Arizona tonight MORE.

Monday, following a conversation with Saudi King Salman, Trump said that "dishonest killers" could have killed Khashoggi. Shortly after the president's speech, published reports announced that the Saudi government was preparing to say that Khashoggi had been killed in a botched interrogation.

Khashoggi was seen entering the Saudi consulate on October 2, but has never been seen leaving. His fiancee waited for hours that he sort of the building.

The Saudi government has given little explanation as to how Khashoggi could have left the consulate even though the Turkish authorities have pointed at Riyadh. The leaks of the Turkish government indicate that Khashoggi, who published opinion articles in the Washington Post and lived in the suburbs of Washington, was killed and dismembered at the consulate.

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin's publication GrahamBrunson sheds light on Turkish policy and justice turmoil Saudi Arabia and Turkey to open joint investigation into Khashoggi's demise Democrats must end crowd dominance MORE (RS.C.), one of the president's closest allies on Capitol Hill, threatened to "punish Saudi Arabia's hell" in an interview Tuesday with Fox, adding that he was "personally offended" by the disappearance of Khashoggi. Graham said that the crown prince had "defiled" his country and himself and had to leave.

Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioDating, an app for Trump supporters, leaked data from its users on launch day: Defense overnight report: Trump claims "dishonest killers" could be behind missing journalist | Sends Pompeo to meet the Saudi king | Saudis could say Khashoggi was killed by accident | The ex-VA leader speaks of chaos at the White House | Most of the F-35s allowed to fly The Democrats embody Trump and accuse "dishonest killers" among so many others (R-Fla.), A prominent member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, said Tuesday that Congress would act independently of the administration if necessary.

"The Senate, Congress, I think, will act bipartisan and this will change the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia in the foreseeable future," Rubio said during an interview with CNN .

Sen. Ben CardinBenjamin (Ben) Louis Cardin: Bipartite Bill to Prevent Foreign Opponents from Taking US Vendors in US Elections Missing Journalist Endangers US-Saudi Relationship Democrats seek to turn Kavanaugh's anger into votes MORE (MD), a high-ranking Democrat in the Committee on External Relations, confirmed this prediction.

"There will be consequences and we will take action. We are an independent branch of government. We have shown that before with our relations with Russia, we did it with North Korea, and we will do it here with Saudi Arabia, "Cardin told CNN.

There were also calls from Republican Sens. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane Flake Keys to remember from the Senate debate in Arizona Live coverage: McSally confronts Sinema in the debate in the Arizona Senate Night Defense: Trump claims that "dishonest murderers" could be behind a disappeared journalist | Sends Pompeo to meet the Saudi king | Saudis could say Khashoggi was killed by accident | The ex-VA leader speaks of chaos at the White House | Most F-35s allowed to fly MORE (Arizona.), Todd YoungTodd Christopher Young "conceals" the disappearance of a journalist, said a GOP senator at Hill.TV Overnight Defense – Presented by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates – A Missed Journalist Challenges the Links That unite the United States and Saudi Arabia | Senators push Trump to open an investigation | Trump speaks with Saudi officials | New questions on support for Saudi coalition in Yemen Senators ask for answers on Trump administration support to Saudi coalition in Yemen MORE (Ind.) And Rubio for the Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinThe think tank Steven Terner MnuchinDC refuses Saudi money in the middle of a controversy over Khashoggi US lobby companies break their ties with Saudi Arabia On The Money: the deficit reaches its highest level in nine years – 9 billion | Yellen says Trump attacks threaten Fed | Affordable housing in the limelight in 2020 to cancel a trip planned for the financial summit "Davos in the desert" that Saudi Arabia should host next week.

Young criticized what he called "reckless behavior" on the part of the crown prince.

At the same time, Republicans have not criticized the administration's reaction to the controversy. Graham said that what would happen next would be "to the president".

GOP leaders in Congress offered their support to Trump.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellJuan Williams: Trump's race policy is more important than his rhetoric It's Washington, by Mitch McConnell – and we live in this country. Trump opens up new prospects for Democrats MORE (R-Ky.) Congratulated Trump for asking Pompeo to try to sort out some details.

"I think it's good that the president sent the secretary of state to talk to the king. We must first know what happened before deciding what kind of response is appropriate, "he told Bloomberg News in an interview.

A spokesman for the president Paul RyanPaul Davis RyanElection Countdown: Cruz and O 'Rourke are fighting at a turning point | Ryan on the run for vulnerable Republicans | Poll shows Biden topping Dem 2020 | The Arizona Senate debate tonight Paul Ryan wants to campaign in favor of 25 House Republicans most vulnerable The GOP super PAC rejects the report that he skipped an ad for the purchase of Rohrabacher, Walters California PLUS (R-Wis.) Has no immediate observation on the Pompeo meetings or on the question of whether the House could impose sanctions against Saudi Arabia. At an event that took place last week, Ryan described as "disturbing" the disappearance of Khashoggi and said the Saudis and Turks had to provide factual information about what had happened to him.

Trump's first visit abroad as president took place in Saudi Arabia. In particular, he has focused his approach to foreign policy in the Middle East on strengthening US ties with Riyadh, while isolating Iran.

Over the weekend, Trump defended an arms deal with Saudi Arabia, for which he estimates the value of $ 110 billion, as one thing that should always go forward and which would be beneficial to the US economy.

On Tuesday, he described reports on his business dealings with Saudi Arabia as "false news".

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob CorkerRobert (Bob) Phillips Corker: The Democrats blame Trump for awarding the alleged "dishonest killers" to the missing journalist, Trump, and sending Pompeo to meet with the Saudi king, Trump defends the sale of the company. American arms to Saudi Arabia MORE (R-Tenn.) Last week, he joined the members of his panel in a letter to Trump, triggering the implementation of the law on responsibility for human rights in the world, which requires the President that he investigate the fact that a foreigner is responsible for unlawful killing or torture and report to Congress. within 120 days.

If Saudi officials blatantly violated Khashoggi's human rights, the Magnitsky law would pave the way for the administration to impose sanctions on these people.

The letter was also signed by Graham and Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyOvernight Defense – Presented by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates – Missed journalist blames US-Saudi relations | Senators push Trump to open an investigation | Trump speaks with Saudi officials | New questions on support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen Senators are forced to legislate to force Trump to investigate the disappearance of a Saudi journalist Justice Kavanaugh will be impartial and not political as his opponents. (Vt.), President and First Democrat of the Subcommittee on Credits for the State, External Operations and Related Programs.

representatives Ed RoyceEdward (Ed) Randall RoyceDems struggling to mobilize Latin American voters at mid-term, a booster of US defense Poll: Dems topped the five-seat California House (R-Calif.) And Eliot EngelEliot Lance EngelFive changes Democrats will look to the Pentagon if they win power. Night Defense – Presented by Raytheon – Trump ends UN visit with Wild Presser | Accuse China of electoral interference | The Pentagon's spending bill erases the House | Hawks applaud invoice | Lawmakers Introduce Resolution to Force Vote in Yemen Bipartite Legislators Urge Trump Administration to Call Genocide of Rohingya Crisis MORE (D-N.Y.), The chair and lead member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Trump on Friday expressing support for the Senate.

A Democratic assistant in the Senate said that if the administration ignored the requirements of the Magnitsky law, "we have the power to legislate for them to apply sanctions". The assistant said the first set of sanctions would likely target individuals.

Senators should also impose votes on blocking arms sales to Saudi Arabia or the United States' removal from the war in Yemen as early as next month.

Sen. Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) SandersTrump Attacks "Crazy Bernie" Sanders Against Medicare Night Defense Plans: Trump Says "Dishonest Killers" May Be Behind Forgotten Journalist | Sends Pompeo to meet the Saudi king | Saudis could say Khashoggi was killed by accident | The ex-VA leader speaks of chaos at the White House | Most F-35s allowed to take night flight Night energy: Trump administration redoubles with climate skepticism | An EPA health official suspended riposte | Military bases could accommodate exports of coal and gas MORE (I-Vt.), Who has been criticizing Saudi Arabia for years, said he would try to get a vote once the Senate is back from the plenary, on a resolution ending US support for the war in Yemen, reinforcing the monitoring of military power by the Congress. authorizations and "show the Saudis that they do not have a blank check to continue the human rights violations."

Meaning. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulNoisy democracy, or rude people behaving like children? Lawmakers, Wall Street, mock Trump's growing attacks on the Fed Five things to watch for in the deterioration of US-Saudi relations (R-Ky.) And Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyNight Defense: Trump claims "dishonest killers" could be behind missing journalist | Sends Pompeo to meet the Saudi king | Saudis could say Khashoggi was killed by accident | The ex-VA leader speaks of chaos at the White House | Most F-35s Authorized to Escape Through a National Commitment to Youth Sports, We Can Break the Cycle of Obesity Democrats embody Trump and accuse the floating "blind killers" of Be responsible for the missing reporter. MORE (D-Conn.) Said they would try to block the next sale of arms to Saudi Arabia. There is no pending sale in Congress, but lawmakers have 30 days after being notified by the administration to try to block a sale.

Paul, a member of the Foreign Relations Commission, however, did not sign the letter to Trump at the origin of the Magnitsky law.

The Senate rejected repeated attempts in recent years to prevent arms sales to Saudi Arabia or to cut US support for Saudi Arabia's efforts in Yemen, despite frustration that has long reigned in Congress.

The latest attempt in March to end US support for Saudi Arabia's bombing operations in Yemen nearly failed, and efforts in June 2017 to block part of the US arms deal. Saudi $ 110 billion were reduced by four votes.

Several Republican senators who voted against the 2017 resolution said that the cessation of arms sales to Saudi Arabia should be discussed after Khashoggi's disappearance.