Trump vows “severe punishment” if Saudi Arabia is behind missing khashoggi

In a clip broadcast on “CBS This Morning,” the president Trump says the Saudis could be behind the disappearance of Khashoggi and, if so, the U.S. would inflict “severe punishment.” He also said the matter is especially serious because, “this man was a reporter.”

Khashoggi, journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Turkish authorities suspect he was killed. Saudi Arabia denies any involvement in his disappearance.

On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Saudi authorities notified Ankara that they were “open to cooperation” and would allow the consulate building to be searched.

Turkish police investigating the case said in a statement Saturday that 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and entered the consulate while Khashoggi was inside. On Tuesday, footage and identities of the “assassination” squad were made public.

Khashoggi had been living in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since last year.