[BREAKING] US Intel Reports Directly Blames Saudi Crown Prince For Khashoggi Murder

BY Tara Dublin February 26, 2021

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has released a report pinning direct blame on Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (also known as MBS) for approving a plan to kill Saudi-born journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The ODNI says its assessment of the Saudi leader’s culpability rests on “the Crown Prince’s control of decisionmaking in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman’s protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince’s support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi.”

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – OCTOBER 25: People take part in a candlelight vigil to remember journalist Jamal Khashoggi outside the Saudi Arabia consulate on October 25, 2018, in Istanbul, Turkey. Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident, and critic of the Saudi regime, went missing after entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2. More than two weeks later Riyadh announced he had been killed accidentally during an altercation with Saudi consulate officials, however as investigations continue new information surfaced, pointing to a brutal and planned murder contradicting previous claims. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The report concludes that “the Crown Prince viewed Khashoggi as a threat to the Kingdom and broadly supported using violent measures if necessary to silence him,” although it added that “we do not know how far in advance Saudi officials decided to harm him.” Given that the Crown Prince has “absolute control” over security operations, the report states it is “highly unlikely” that his subordinates would have carried out such an operation, which led to widespread international condemnation, were it not for his direct orders.

#URGENT: US intel report finds Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) responsible for approving Khashoggi assassination

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 26, 2021

The Treasury Department will unveil sanctions Friday on General Ahmed al-Asiri, former deputy head of the Saudi intelligence services, and the Saudi Rapid Intervention Force for their involvement in the Khashoggi assassination. However, Crown Prince MBS will not be sanctioned, according to officials.

Reminder. In 2018, Trump defied intel agencies and stood behind MBS: "It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" https://t.co/KbveVxadzQ

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 26, 2021

No legal actions against Donald Trump or Jared Kushner have been announced, despite their clear alliances with MBS. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is also said to have knowledge of the Khashoggi murder, but no one from the previous administration has been formally questioned.

I'm relieved Khashoggi intel report officially blaming MbS of assassinating Khashoggi is coming out but where is the investigation and information into what role Trump, Kushner, Pompeo, etc played? https://t.co/NFAhxxLSPL

— Olga Lautman (@OlgaNYC1211) February 25, 2021

Jared Kushner used WhatsApp to go around official channels to talk to MBS. We sued to preserve the records. We won. https://t.co/N4y0zhZeLP

— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) February 25, 2021

Trump helped MBS get a pass for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and then bragged about it to Bob Woodward. He did this because he knew how deeply Kushner was involved with MBS and by extension so were his own financial interests.

— NoelCaslerComedy (@CaslerNoel) February 26, 2021

The entire report can be read here.

[This is a developing story, please check back for updates]