Target: James Comer, Chair of U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform
Goal: Investigate and prevent multi-billion-dollar military deal with accused murderer and human rights abuser.
“It’s an honor to be your friend, and it’s an honor that you’re here.” The President of the United States, and the leader of the free world, gave this glowing reception – complete with an extravagant dinner with over 100 guests in attendance – to a man who has been condemned by no less than 11 global humanitarian organizations for his deplorable record on human rights. In addition to being directly linked by U.S. intelligence officials to the brutal execution of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been accused of ordering the imprisonment, torture, and deaths of countless political activists…including women whose only “crime” was speaking up for their right to drive automobiles freely. When asked about Khashoggi’s murder at a press conference with the Crown Prince, President Trump dismissed the allegations and the victim himself: “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him, or didn’t like him, things happen. He [bin Salman] knew nothing about it. And you can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.”
In addition to heaping lavish praise on and defending the reputation of an accused murderer, the president also gifted Saudi Arabia with some of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. This move in itself drew criticism from security experts who are concerned about China’s potential access to the jets and about the risks the jets could pose for American ally Israel. The multi-billion-dollar defense deal between the president and the crown prince could also put an unprecedented amount of military drones into Saudi hands. Ethics experts point to the recent flurry of business deals the Trump Organization has made in Saudi Arabia as a potential motivator behind these military deals with far-reaching repercussions.
Sign the petition below to demand lawmakers conduct their oversight duties and do everything in their power to stop America’s leaders from enabling and enriching human rights abusers.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Representative Comer,
“US officials should be pressing for change, not posing for photos.” This one sentence from the joint statement concerning recent deals with Saudi Arabia (crafted by 11 human rights organizations) sums it up best. Congress shouldn’t need a reminder about the horrific allegations, backed by the nation’s top intelligence officials, against Mohammed bin Salman. Two words should suffice: buzz saw. It is a disgrace to the United States for these allegations to be answered with a shrug and a “things happen.” Gifting a nation with one of the worst human rights records on the planet – a nation where abusive and often deadly suppression of dissent still unfolds daily – with expensive, powerful weapons turns this shameful disgrace into a dangerous risk.
Let this be the time that the willful ignorance ends. Condemn this outrageous deal and use every investigative tool at your disposal to ensure it never sees the light of day.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: The White House
