Trump’s refusal to condemn Saudis roiling lawmakers
Lawmakers seek briefing, look to turn up pressure
President Donald Trump may have sparked a legislative rebellion with his repeated refusal to condemn Saudi Arabia for its role in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Lawmakers from both parties have pushed back on Trump’s handling of the situation, and a clash over it could unfold as early as next week, when Congress is set to reconvene.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has requested a classified briefing from Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, on Khashoggi’s murder.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump may have poked a congressional bear with his repeated refusal to condemn Saudi Arabia for its role in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Lawmakers have until now done little to push back against Trump’s approach to foreign policy – standing aside as he launched a trade war, picked fights with long-time U.S. allies and embraced dictators from North Korea to Russia.
But the Khashoggi killing has riled Republicans and Democrats alike, sparking a nascent legislative rebellion that promises to escalate when Democrats take control of the House in January. A clash over Trump’s handling of the journalist’s murder – and his broader embrace of Saudi Arabia – could unfold as early as next week, when Congress is set to reconvene.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has requested a classified briefing from top Trump administration officials – including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis – on Khashoggi’s murder as well