(Cartoon image is by Daryl Cagle at cagle.com.)It is beyond any doubt now that Saudi strongman Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of a Washington Post journalist. The Central Intelligence Agency now verifies it. That doesn't matter to Donald Trump.
He's still trying to claim that it's not known whether the Saudi government ordered the murder or not. And he says our relationship with the Saudi monarchy is too valuable to punish them even if they are guilty of that murder. It's a shameful position for an American president to take -- and it shows the world that the Trump administration has no regard for human rights.
Here is the operative part of the statement released by Trump:
Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an “enemy of the state” and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that – this is an unacceptable and horrible crime. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!
That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world! I understand there are members of Congress who, for political or other reasons, would like to go in a different direction – and they are free to do so. I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America. After the United States, Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producing nation in the world. They have worked closely with us and have been very responsive to my requests to keeping oil prices at reasonable levels – so important for the world. As President of the United States I intend to ensure that, in a very dangerous world, America is pursuing its national interests and vigorously contesting countries that wish to do us harm. Very simply it is called America First! It's pretty obvious that Trump is putting his own financial well-being over human rights and the reputation of the United States. But when some people stated that truth, Trump was quick to deny it. He said:“I have nothing to do with Saudi – just so you understand, I don’t make deals with Saudi Arabia. I don’t have money from Saudi Arabia. I have nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I couldn’t care less…. Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with me.”
That statement is just another of his thousands of lies. Here's the truth from Steve Benen at MSNBC.com:
That’s not quite right. Consider Rachel’s report from September on Trump’s business relationship with the kingdom.
“In 2015, before he was president but around the time he started running, Donald Trump registered eight shell companies that all included the word ‘Jeddah’ in the company name… Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia.
“Trump creating eight shell companies with that city name in the company name – based on past Trump organization practices – that would seem to indicate that the president was planning to build a hotel in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. He didn’t build that hotel, at least he hasn’t yet. Those companies were dissolved shortly after he was elected president.
“But then three days after Trump’s inauguration, lobbyists working for the Saudi government went out of their way to make sure the American press reported that they were spending almost $300,000 to put up a gigantic Saudi entourage at the Trump Hotel in Washington.
“The Trump Hotel in Manhattan has sort of been on hard times recently. Its revenues have declined for two straight years. But in the first few months of this year, that hotel turned its fortunes around, basically got bailed out. For the first time in years, revenue at the Trump Hotel in Manhattan increased thanks specifically to a very, very, very profligate and expensive visit from the Saudi crown prince – and his entourage too.
“Donald Trump has a business history and a business present with Saudi Arabia, and that’s the kind of thing we never have had to factor in before when considering why president was acting a specific way toward a specific country.”During his presidential campaign, Trump went so far as to boast, “Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them. They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much.” It was also during his candidacy that the future president boasted that he makes “a lot of money” to the tune of “hundreds of millions” of dollars selling stuff to Saudis. As we discussed in October, this is just the stuff we’re aware of. The president has kept much of his finances hidden from public scrutiny – we’re still waiting on those tax returns, for example – and it’s impossible to say what other foreign dealings he’s explored.
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But while Trump doesn't want to punish the Saudi government (which operates now as a Trump piggy bank), he's eager to punish innocent American citizens. After he assumed office, Trump tried to order the prosecution of Hillary Clinton and James Comey -- even though numerous investigations have shown them to have committed no crime. He was unable to do that, because his attorney told him he does not have the authority to order any prosecution.
Trump was disappointed, and he is very envious of the dictatorial powers possessed by his heroes in Russia and Saudi Arabia.
