Presidential adviser Jared Kushner said Monday that President Donald Trump’s administration is still in the “fact-finding phase” in regards to the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Kushner, who is also Trump’s son-in-law, has come under scrutiny for his relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman, who denied involvement in Khashoggi’s death before Saudi Arabia admitted that he was killed in the Istanbul consulate after a “fistfight” with Saudi officials.
Kushner said at the CITIZEN by CNN conference that "the Middle East is a rough place. It's been a rough place for a very long time. We have to be able to pursue our strategic objectives. But we also have to deal with what is obviously a terrible situation.
"We're getting as many facts as we can," he said, "then we'll determine which facts are credible."
Kushner added that he told Prince Mohammed in a phone call that "the world is watching. This is a very, very serious accusation. A very serious situation. To be sure you're transparent and to take this very seriously."
The administration is approaching Saudi Arabia's explanation for Khashoggi's death with "our eyes wide open," Kushner said.
"I think the president is focused on what's good for America," he continued. "What are our strategic interests. Where do we share interests with other countries, let's work toward those.”
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