Corker calls for ‘collective’ response from Western countries if Saudi crown prince found responsible in Khashoggi’s death

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said Sunday that he believes there should be a global response to hold Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable if it’s determined he directed the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Corker emphasized his belief that the crown prince played a role in Khashoggi’s death, and questioned Saudi Arabia’s explanation that Khashoggi died in a physical altercation gone awry.

“If [the crown prince] has gone forth and murdered this journalist, he’s now crossed the line,” Corker said. “I’m not rushing to judgment. Do I think he did it? Yes, I think he did it.”

{mosads}”If he did it then I think there should be a collective response,” Corker continued.

The Tennessee Republican, who chairs the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, said he’s heard from ambassadors in other Western countries who want to coordinate a response to Saudi Arabia on Khashoggi’s death. Corker noted that the U.S. is not the only country with business interests in Saudi Arabia.

“So this is something where I think you’re going to see the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, working collectively with others, if he did this, to respond in an appropriate way,” Corker said.

GOP Sen. Bob Corker says he thinks Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince was behind the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi: “Do I think he did it? Yes, I think he did it. Let’s finish this investigation” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/e0qv5dKie4

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) October 21, 2018

The senator argued that a response to the crown prince is particularly important given the prospect he could rule Saudi Arabia for the next 30 or 40 years. He added that Crown Prince Mohammed already holds significant power in the country, as King Salman is “not particularly coherent.”

The senator’s comments came hours after President Trump expressed support for the crown prince, calling him a “strong person” who “truly loves his people.”

Saudi officials announced Friday that Khashoggi was killed in a “fight” gone awry at the consulate, and that 18 people had been detained in connection to the incident.

The explanation promptly drew skepticism from U.S. senators and Khashoggi’s former colleagues, who said the idea of the 59-year-old getting into a fight with Saudi security officials did not seem credible.

Trump called the explanation a “good first step,” but on Saturday acknowledged to The Washington Post that the Saudi comments about Khashoggi’s disappearance were constantly changing. 

The president has walked a fine line in the wake of the journalist’s disappearance, at times vowing harsh punishment for those responsible and alternatively defending the importance of the economic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.