U.S. Secretaries Pompeo And Mattis Defend Saudi Ties And CIA No-Show In Front Of The U.S. Senate During Yemen Debate

CNN: Pompeo, Mattis defend Saudi ties amid Senate anger over Khashoggi murder

After a closed-door briefing with senators Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo once again defended the Trump administration's response to the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying there is "no direct reporting" connecting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the killing.

Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis traveled to Capitol Hill for a briefing with Senate lawmakers on Yemen where they emphasized the strategic importance of the US-Saudi relationship and defended the administration's response to the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The purpose of Wednesday's briefing was to outline the US role in Yemen -- a briefing that has taken on added importance as momentum has grown behind a resolution to cut off US military aid to Saudi Arabia over its role in the brutal civil war in the country.

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WNU Editor: The US Senate and media focus is on the absence of the CIA Director at today's hearings, and are blaming the White House for it. The CIA is telling a different story .... that the Senate has already been informed by the CIA on all details concerning the murder of Jamal Khashoggi .... The Latest: CIA denies director told to skip Senate briefing (AP). What's my take. The CIA Director should have shown up and give the Senators what they really wanted .... a video of them pressing questions to her. As for the U.S. role in Yemen .... this debate is just starting.

More News On Today's Senate Testimony On U.S. Saudi Ties

Pompeo: No 'direct reporting' linking Saudi crown prince to order Khashoggi killing -- The Hill
Pompeo and Mattis say no direct evidence Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi death -- Politico
Mattis, Pompeo urge senators to stand down in Yemen fight -- The Hill
Pompeo refuses to answer why Gina Haspel didn't appear at Saudi Arabia briefing -- Axios
Senate closer to defying White House on Saudi support in Yemen -- Politico
Republican senator to withhold vote until CIA briefs on Khashoggi -- Reuters
Trump accused of 'cover-up' after reportedly barring CIA director Gina Haspel from briefing Senate on Khashoggi killing -- Business Insider
White House Bid to Placate Senate Over Saudi Behavior Backfires -- Bloomberg
White House Muzzled C.I.A. on Khashoggi Slaying, Mattis and Pompeo Say -- Daily Beast
The Senate is infuriated by Trump's handling of Saudi Arabia, and it is looking to overrule him -- Business Insider