Washington, November 29 (RHC)-- U.S. President Donald Trump once again defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying “maybe he did and maybe he didn’t” order the killing of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Trump’s comment came after the White House reportedly barred CIA chief Gina Haspel and other intelligence officials from briefing U.S. senators about Khashoggi’s killing.  The Wednesday briefing was instead led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- a staunch defender of the Saudi royal family. 

The CIA has concluded with “high confidence” that Crown Prince bin Salman is directly implicated in ordering Khashoggi’s murder, and Gina Haspel has reportedly heard audio of the killing intercepted by Turkish intelligence. 

At the White House, national security adviser John Bolton told reporters Tuesday he hasn’t heard the tape and would not be listening to it.