Senator Rand Paul, a long time critic of Saudi Arabia, released a scathing statement regarding the response to the slaying of journalist Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said that he will not take strong action against Saudi Arabia or its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The President indicates that Saudi Arabia is the lesser of two evils compared to Iran and so the US won’t punish Saudi Arabia for the brutal killing and dismemberment of a dissident in their consulate. I disagree,” Senator Paul tweeted. “We should, at the very least, NOT reward Saudi Arabia with our sophisticated armaments that they in turn use to bomb civilians.”
The President indicates that Saudi Arabia is the lesser two evils compared to Iran and so the US won’t punish Saudi Arabia for the brutal killing and dismemberment of a dissident journalist in their consulate. I disagree.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 20, 2018
The Kentucky Senator took aim squarely at the White House statement on the issue that was titled “America First!”
Senator Paul tweeted that, “I’m pretty sure this statement is Saudi Arabia First, not America First. I’m also pretty sure John Bolton wrote it.”
I’m pretty sure this statement is Saudi Arabia First, not America First. I’m also pretty sure John Bolton wrote it.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 20, 2018
The White House statement had said that “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 will continue to press for legislation to stop the Saudi arms sales and the war in Yemen.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 20, 2018
Senator Paul vowed to continue pushing for legislation to stop the Saudi arms sales and the war in Yemen.
