Hoyer Statement Condemning Trump's Comments on the Murder of Washington Post Columnist Jamal Khashoggi

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's remarks about how he does not hold Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, responsible for the murder of Washington Post opinion columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018:

"Contrary to what Donald Trump said in the Oval Office earlier today, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the brutal assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. That is the consensus of the U.S. Intelligence Community. There is a difference between engaging in diplomacy with the Saudis and downplaying flagrant violations of human rights.

“President Trump’s assertions today were contrary to that consensus, and patently absurd. His plea for politeness to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was in stark and painful contrast to the President’s abominable and shameful treatment of our ally, President Zelensky, as he and Ukraine are under continuing attack by the Russian war criminal Vladimir Putin – whom the President fawned over in Alaska.

“Trivializing Khashoggi's horrific murder, as Trump did today, only endangers other journalists, dissidents, and purveyors of truth."