Congress orders federal probe into Khashoggi’s disappearance

Bryant Harris

Oct 10, 2018

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - OCTOBER 10: A police officer providing security waits at the front door of Saudi Arabia's consulate on October 10, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey. Fears are growing over the fate of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi after Turkish officials said they believe he was murdered inside the Saudi consulate. Saudi consulate officials have said that missing writer and Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi went missing after leaving the consulate, however the statement directly contradicts other sources includ — A police officer providing security waits at the front door of Saudi Arabia's consulate on Oct. 10, 2018, in Istanbul, Turkey. — GETTY/Chris McGrath

A bipartisan group of 22 senators sent a letter to President Donald Trump today demanding a federal investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which could lead to sanctions against senior Saudi officials.

The letter was signed by every member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee except Rand Paul, R-Ky., who prefers an immediate end to US arms sales to the kingdom.

“The recent disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights,” the senators wrote in the letter.

The letter was led by Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the respective chairmen and ranking members of the Senate foreign relations and foreign aid panels.

Congress orders federal probe into Khashoggi’s disappearance

Bipartisan calls for a federal probe and possible sanctions against Saudi Arabia indicate that Congress has lost confidence in Riyadh.

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