Defense Sec. Mattis: ‘We Do Not Have a Smoking Gun’ That Saudi Crown Prince Was Involved in Khashoggi Murder

Fox News’ Bret Baier spoke with Defense Secretary James Mattis today at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the annual Reagan National Defense Forum, and the subject of Jamal Khashoggi‘s murder came up.

As Baier brought up the Trump administration’s Iran policy, he noted the international outrage over Khashoggi’s killing and the culpability of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“We have every expectation,” Mattis responded, “that whoever was involved in this, whether directly involved or directing the murder is going to be held to account, that is our country’s expectation. We see that as not in any way reducing the strategic imperative to work together with as many nations as possible, to keep Iran, keep their… murderous mischief under control or reduce it, to roll it back.”

Baier brought up the moment when MBS and Vladimir Putin high-five and the optics it suggested before asking, “Basically you’re saying that Saudi Arabia’s help with the U.S. when it comes to Iraq takes precedence right now?”

“I don’t think there is a precedence,” Mattis said. “Accountability for the murder of Jamal khashoggi stands alone, it is distinct from any other factors going on… Right now we do not have a smoking gun, I have––except for the last 24 hours, ladies and gentlemen––I have seen all the intelligence we have. We do not have a smoking gun that the crown prince was involved.”

The Wall Street Journal‘s new report on the CIA assessment includes this paragraph:

The previously unreported excerpts reviewed by the Journal state that the CIA has “medium-to-high confidence” that Prince Mohammed “personally targeted” Khashoggi and “probably ordered his death.” It added: “To be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order.”

Watch above, via Fox News.

[image via screengrab]