Addressing the nation for the first time as President, Joe Biden said, “We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.” With this line in his Inaugural Address, President Biden was reminding Americans that our leadership in the world is not merely because of the size of its military or gross domestic product, but also because of our commitment to upholding the rule of law and applying it equally to all.
President Biden’s explanation of American leadership was particularly poignant because of the example set by his predecessor. While it is true that America has at times failed miserably to live up to its commitment to equal justice under the law, possibly no president violated the law more than former President Trump.
The former President is facing a slew of potential indictments for crimes he may have committed. With regard to just the past two presidential elections, former President Trump has great legal exposure. The former President is accused of obstructing investigations into whether his 2016 campaign worked with Russia to meddle in the election to defeat Hillary Clinton. With regard to the 2020 presidential election, the former President is accused of pressuring Ukraine to damage his political opponent, Joe Biden, and pressuring Georgia election officials to rig election results. Trump is also facing an array of potential indictments for crimes he may have committed before he became president with regard to his business dealings and personal life.
While nothing in President Biden's past would suggest that he will ever face the legal liability of former President Trump, he still must be held accountable for his words and actions.
On October 2, 2018, Saudi dissident and Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul and never came out alive. Once inside the consulate, Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents who beheaded and dismembered him. Khashoggi, a frequent critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), had gone to the consulate to get documents needed to get married.
Immediately following Khashoggi’s disappearance, Saudi Arabia denied having any knowledge of his whereabouts. However, after two weeks of intense international pressure, Saudi Arabia acknowledged that Khashoggi was strangled by its agents during a fight inside their Istanbul consulate. Saudi Arabia said and they arrested 18 men who were involved in Khashoggi's death and would hold them accountable. Notably, Saudi Arabia denied that the Crown Prince had anything to do with Khashoggi’s murder.
Within a month of Khashoggi’s death, the CIA concluded with a high degree of confidence that MBS had ordered his assassination. However, despite President Trump being shown evidence of the prince’s involvement in Khashoggi’s death, he made clear he did not want to hold MBS accountable.
When asked whether MBS was complicit in the murder of Khashoggi, President Trump said the “crown prince vehemently denies” involvement and has “been a very good ally” if the United States. President Trump reportedly feared that blaming MBS for Khashoggi’s death might, among other things, impede oil production by the kingdom.
Throughout the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden was a sharp critic of Saudi Arabia. In July 2019, when asked what his approach would be to relations with Saudi Arabia, candidate Biden said, “we will make clear that America will never again check its principles at the door just to buy oil or sell weapons.” Biden also promised that if elected president he would “insist on responsible Saudi actions and impose consequences for reckless ones.”
Biden’s strong rhetoric towards Saudi Arabia gave Americans and journalists around the globe, hope that he would hold MBS accountable for the murder of Khashoggi if elected president. However, President Biden’s actions towards Saudi Arabia have left those yearning for accountability, frustrated.
To his credit, President Biden publicly released the U.S. intelligence report on the murder of Khashoggi that concludes MBS ordered his assassination. Following the release of the report, the Biden Administration also announced sanctions on 76 Saudis "believed to have been engaged in threatening dissidents overseas, including but not limited to the Khashoggi killing." Yet, President Biden has refused to take action against MBS.
Essentially, the Biden Administration is saying that MBS has the blood on his hands of an American resident and journalist, but there is little we can do about it. By refusing to take stronger actions against MBS, President Biden is not leading by example and helping to restore America's moral standing in the world.
Undoubtedly, the Saudis would be furious if President Biden placed sanctions on MBS, but the future leader of Saudi Arabia must know that if he messes with America, we will defend ourselves and he will face consequences. Unfortunately, President Biden has not sent a stern enough message to MBS. If MBS is able to get away with murder as Crown Prince, just imagine what he will do as King.
댓글