Congressman Krishnamoorthi Urges Oversight Chairman Gowdy To Convene Hearings On The Death Of Jamal Khashoggi And Threats Posed To Journalists Across The World

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today urged Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy to convene hearings on the death of Jamal Khashoggi and threats posed to journalists across the world.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi's signed letter is viewable here and the text follows below.

October 17, 2018

The Honorable Trey Gowdy

Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

2418 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Gowdy,

The American people need answers regarding how an American journalist and Green Card holder was apparently murdered at the hands of the Saudi Arabian government. The death of Jamal Khashoggi, who has children who are American citizens, is not only an attack on dissent against the Saudi regime, but is also an attack on the free press in America and worldwide.

I respectfully demand that you convene hearings, so the Committee can explore the following topics:

1. What obligation does the United States have to protect our journalists around the world? While we cannot prevent a journalist from taking personal risks to report a story, we can make sure they are not walking into traps laid by the government officials they report on.
2. To what extent did the Administration have knowledge of this operation and did they choose not to inform Mr. Khashoggi of the plans to detain and/or murder him?
3. Why did Secretary of State Pompeo refuse to raise this issue in a meeting with the Saudi regime, stating, when asked by an American journalist if the Saudis would admit Mr. Khashoggi was dead, "I don't want to talk about any of the facts; they didn't want to, either"^[1]?
4. Did Senior White House advisor Jared Kushner make any commitments to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that would provide the Saudi leader with the belief that he had a free hand in persecuting Saudi dissidents in foreign countries?
5. Why has President Trump failed to appoint an Ambassador to either Turkey or Saudi Arabia?

These questions demand answers, and the American people need to be reassured that their government will continue to strongly advocate for the interests of Americans. In addition, journalists must be protected from unlawful acts by foreign governments.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to working with both of you to reach answers the American people deserve.

Sincerely,

Raja Krishnamoorthi

Member of Congress