Trump Vows ‘Severe Punishment’ if Saudi Arabia Implicated in Khashoggi Disappearance
President says in TV interview that he doesn’t favor sanctions because it may cost jobs for the U.S.
Turkish officials say a team of alleged Saudi assassins apprehended and likely killed a Saudi journalist in Istanbul. The Saudis have denied any involvement but Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi Consulate on Oct. 2. Photo: Getty Images
WASHINGTON—President Trump said there will be “severe punishment” if an investigation determines that Saudi Arabia is behind the disappearance and suspected death of a prominent Saudi journalist, but said he doesn’t favor sanctions because it may cost jobs for the U.S.
In an interview with “60 Minutes,” Mr. Trump said Saudi Arabia “vehemently” denies its involvement in the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post opinion page contributor who had lived in Virginia in exile and whose fiancée says he entered the Saudi...