Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoUS information: The Saudi Crown Prince approved Khashoggi killing the golden statue of Trump at CPAC ridiculed online Five things to watch at CPAC MORE deplored the disclosure by the Biden government of a disqualified report on Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi on Sunday, calling the report’s release a “reckless” measure.
Speaking on Fox News on Sunday, the former secretary of state under the Trump administration argued that the Biden government had “political” reasons for releasing the report and was committed to souring the US-Saudi relationship on the issue.
“[T]The disclosure of this report was imprudent. It was political. The aim was to damage the relationship with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the use of intelligence in a way that, as a former CIA director, I would never have defended, “said Pompeo, adding:” So, I am sorry that they chose to do . This was a political coup. “
“I am sorry that, as this government wants to develop a relationship with Iran and destroy another one with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they have chosen to use intelligence to do this,” continued the former secretary.
Pompeo’s comments are by far the strongest criticism from any former Trump administration official on the subject. Democrats argued that the Biden government did more to hold the Saudi government accountable for Khashoggi’s death, although he said the White House could do more to punish Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials allegedly involved in the murder.
Sen. Democrat Chris Coons
Chris Andrew CoonsDemocrats do not trust the GOP on the 1/6 commission: ‘These people are dangerous’ shows a preview of Sunday’s programs: 2024 candidates meet at CPAC; House passes coronavirus relief; vaccination effort continues The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by The AIDS Institute – Senate sets minimum wage, House votes today on aid project MORE (Del.) He said on Sunday at CNN’s “State of the Union” that he was “optimistic” in the hope that the Biden government would do more to hold the Saudi government accountable for Khashoggi’s death in the future.
“I am optimistic that our role in terms of the war in Yemen, the responsibility here for the assassination of Khashoggi and other ways in which the US-Saudi relationship can change will in fact hand over the responsibility that I have asked for,” he said, adding that USA was “recalibrating” its relationship with the kingdom.