Graham: CIA Briefing Confirmed Crown Prince Ordered Khashoggi’s Murder

EXCERPT:

GRAHAM: "I went into the briefing believing it was virtually impossible for an operation like this to be carried out without the Crown Prince's knowledge. I left the briefing with high confidence that my initial assessment of the situation is correct. I left the briefing being amazed by our CIA and intelligence community's capability and their analytical reasoning. The CIA, in my view, rose to the occasion in terms of informing the Congress about what happened on October 2nd, what's happened since and what happened before. So, I am very satisfied with the briefing. There's a desire by the intelligence community to limit the number of people briefed. After that request was made, I understand now I don't want to keep it more limited than before. So here's my takeaway, that Saudi Arabia, as a strategic ally, and the relationship is worth saving, but not at all cost. We'll do more damage to our standing in the world and our national security by ignoring MbS than dealing with him. MbS, the Crown Prince, is a wrecking ball. I think he's complicit in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi to the highest level possible. I think the behavior before the Khashoggi murder was beyond disturbing and I cannot see him being a reliable partner to the United States. Saudi Arabia and MbS are two different entities. If the Saudi government is going to be in the hands of this man for a long time to come, I find it very difficult to be able to do business because I think he's crazy, I think he is dangerous, and he has put the relationship at risk."