Trump son-in-law contacted Saudi Crown Prince after journalist's murder

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner at a cabinet meeting on May 9. Photo: CNN.

Although White House rules require all phone calls with foreign leaders to be conducted under the supervision of the National Security Council, Jared Kushner and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke privately several times after Khashoggi's death,New York TimesDecember 8, citing a number of close sources.

Trump's son-in-law reportedly advised Crown Prince Mohammed on how to "weather the storm" after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The White House has not yet issued an official statement to address questions regarding the above information. However, according to a spokesperson, "Mr. Jared has always carefully followed the principles and regulations related to the relationship with the Crown Prince (of Saudi Arabia) and all other foreign officials," but did not provide more specific information about the principles and regulations mentioned.

According toCNNKushner and national security adviser John Bolton called Crown Prince Mohammed directly nearly a week after Khashoggi went missing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Accordingly, Kushner stood "behind the scenes" directing the de-escalation of the incident and did not come forward to explain to the public. Sources said that Kushner skillfully handled his personal relationship with the Saudi Crown Prince throughout the crisis and quietly stayed out of the way when necessary.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who was a frequent critic of Crown Prince Mohammed, disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate to obtain a marriage certificate. After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia admitted responsibility for Khashoggi’s murder at the consulate because it was unable to persuade the journalist to return home.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is said to have concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed ordered the murder of journalist Khashoggi. A spokesman for the agency declined to comment on the information.

Despite the CIA's assessment, Kushner defended Prince Mohammed, arguing that President Trump needed to support the Saudi crown prince because the country was a key component of Washington's Middle East policy.New York TimesCite sources familiar with the matter for their assessment.

Both Trump and the State Department have been consistent that the US administration has yet to reach a final conclusion about who is responsible for the murder of journalist Khashoggi.