Sen. Dick Durbin
Dick DurbinDemocratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry Democrats look to sharpen message after Senate setback The Hill's 12:30 Report: What to know about the Pfizer vaccine announcement MORE (D-Ill.) said Sunday that the U.S. should formally expel Saudi Arabia's ambassador in response to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
"We ought to formally expel the Saudi ambassador from the United States until there is a completion of a third-party investigation into this kidnap, murder and god-knows-what-followed that occurred in Istanbul," Durbin said.
He suggested the ambassador be expelled "tomorrow morning," calling it part of a broader effort to send a message to Saudi leadership about Khashoggi's death. Unless countries like the U.S. take action, he said, "they’ll continue doing it."
Durbin went on to argue that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "has his fingerprints all over" Khashoggi's death, noting that several of the prince's personal bodyguards were among those detained in connection with the incident.
WATCH: Sen. Dick Durbin calls for Saudi ambassador to the United States to be expelled after Khashoggi killing. #MTP@DickDurbin: Saudi Crown Prince "has his fingerprints all over this" pic.twitter.com/UwWwTe4Rtk
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 21, 2018
The senator's call to expel the ambassador comes a day after Republican Rep. Mike Coffman
Michael (Mike) Howard CoffmanColorado governor says he was not exposed to COVID-19 after Aurora mayor tests positive Colorado mayor says he called protesters 'domestic terrorists' out of 'frustration' Colorado governor directs officials to reexamine death of Elijah McClain in police custody MORE (Colo.) urged President Trump
Donald John TrumpTucker Carlson assures viewers his show 'not going anywhere' following presidential election Trump senior advisers dissuaded president from military strike on Iran: report Senators clash on the floor over wearing masks: 'I don't need your instruction' MORE to recall the acting U.S. ambassador from Saudi Arabia. There is not currently an individual appointed to that post, however.
Saudi officials announced Friday that Khashoggi was killed in a physical altercation gone awry at the consulate, and that 18 people had been detained in connection to the incident.
The explanation promptly drew skepticism from U.S. senators and Khashoggi’s former colleagues, who said the idea of the 59-year-old getting into a fight with Saudi security officials did not seem credible.
Trump called the explanation a “good first step,” but on Saturday acknowledged to The Washington Post that the Saudi comments about Khashoggi’s disappearance were constantly changing.
The president has walked a fine line following the journalist’s disappearance, at times vowing harsh punishment for those responsible and alternatively defending the importance of the economic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
