Trump’s ties to Saudis targeted

WASHINGTON — Democrats will investigate whether President Donald Trump has financial ties with Saudi Arabia that colored his response to the killing of a U.S.based journalist, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said.

“Is his personal financial interest driving U.S. policy in the Gulf?” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. “We don’t know, but it would be irresponsible not to find out,” he said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Schiff presumably will become chairman of the committee in January.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., in line to lead the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “it’s definitely something that we need to look into.”

Several news organizations including the Washington Post and New York Times have reported that the CIA concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of columnist Jamal Khashoggi, carried out at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. But Trump has said the findings aren’t definitive, and has instead emphasized the Saudi leader’s denials.

Trump has also said he won’t let the killing jeopardize U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, citing the potential effect on oil prices and on weapons deals with the kingdom. And he’s denied having any financial dealings with the Gulf nation.