Trump defends Saudis and says "maybe the world" should be held responsible for Khashoggi's death

After talking with the soldiers, President Trump spent part of his Thanksgiving morning in defense of Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump said on Tuesday he was siding with the Saudis, saying the Saudi Crown Prince and his father are "vehemently denying" the denial of his death. The CIA, said Thursday Mr. Trump, never "concluded" that the Saudi royals were responsible for the death, although CBS News confirmed that CIA intelligence Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination. Mr. Trump refused to listen to the audio of the murder.

Asked who should be held responsible for Khashoggi's death, the president said on Thursday: "Maybe the world should be held responsible because the world is a perverse place."

"So, I hate crime and hate what's done and hate camouflage," Trump said. "And I'll tell you this, the Crown Prince hates him more than me."

The president has long formulated his defense of the Saudis economically, saying that the financial relations between the two nations were indispensable.

"Do people really want me to give up hundreds of thousands of jobs? And frankly, if we stick to that norm, no one would be our ally," Trump said Thursday.

Earlier in the week, the president announced that there would be no more punishment for the Saudis after the death of Khashoggi, a statement that sent a shock wave to Washington and which was described by critics as propaganda for the Saudis.

"It could very well be that the crown prince was aware of this tragic event," said the president in a statement. "Maybe he did it and maybe he did not!" Mr. Trump said in his written remarks to the point of exclamation.

During Thanksgiving, the president also continued to blow up the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the country's judicial system. Trump believes the court has unfairly dismissed his administration, and his inflammatory remarks prompted a rare reprimand by Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday.

"Judge Roberts can say what he wants, but the 9th circuit is a complete and total disaster," Trump said on the morning of Thanksgiving. "It's out of control, has a horrible reputation, is overthrown more than any circuit in the country, 79%, and is used to get an almost guaranteed result." Judges must not legislate on safety … and safety at home. Whether at the border or elsewhere, they know nothing and make our country dangerous.Our great law enforcement professionals MUST BE AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE THEIR EMPLOYMENT If not, there will be nothing but chaos, chaos , wounds and writing! "