Lawmakers will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the U. S. Capitol as part of his visit to the United States. The visit aims to strengthen economic and security ties with the U. S. while downplaying concerns about his human rights record. President Trump welcomed bin Salman at the White House, defending him regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U. S. intelligence says he approved. Some Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, attended a formal dinner for bin Salman at the White House.
Bin Salman, who had faced criticism from Washington after Khashoggi’s killing, is now receiving a warmer reception. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who criticized him in 2019, was present during the Oval Office meeting with Trump, who expressed that he was honored to be friends with the Saudi leader. This contrasts with the previous negative feelings Congress had toward bin Salman due to his actions in Yemen and human rights violations.
Despite bin Salman’s history, the meeting at Capitol Hill is expected to be more low-key than visits by other world leaders. He arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday, where Johnson held a gathering attended by both Democratic and Republican congress members. The event was not officially announced, and no large press opportunities were planned for bin Salman, unlike typical meetings with world leaders. Some lawmakers expressed criticism of bin Salman; Senator Tim Kaine condemned Trump for hosting him, suggesting Trump should focus on accountability regarding Khashoggi’s murder rather than personal interests.
During his visit, bin Salman agreed to increase Saudi investments in the U. S. from $600 billion to $1 trillion and attended an investment conference with U. S. CEOs. New agreements on arms sales, nuclear cooperation, and artificial intelligence were also announced. Senator Jeanne Shaheen voiced concerns about the initiatives discussed and called for the Trump administration to brief Congress on the commitments made.
With information from Reuters