In this image released by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, greets President Joe Biden with a fist bump after his arrival at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, July 15, 2022. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
After summarizing the take aways from his meeting with Saudi Arabia's leaders in Jeddah Friday, Pres. Joe Biden addressed the wind of controversy that trailed him there.
Since the time the WHite House anounced he would be meeting with the the Crown Prince who was linked to the death of a jornalist who resided in Virginia. there was criticism about the visit. I’ll always stand up for our values. Pres. Biden said he addressed the murder of the Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashoggi with Mohammed bin Salman who denied any personal responsibility for tye death and said he":took action" agaisnt those who were.
"For an American President to be silent on an issue of human rights, is this consistent with -- inconsistent with who we are and who I am," he told reporters.
Biden is not clear of controversy, however.
The level of comfort Biden displayed with a perceived enemy was highly condemned.
The fist bump they shared -- White House COVID protocol -- was called "shameful" by the Post's publisher Fred Ryan.
Back home Americans want him to see about gettin Saudi Arabia's help with lowering gas prices. There was no mention of gas talkns in this inital discussion but notably, Pres. Biden said that air space to Saudi Arabia has been re-opened. They also discussed global energy security and improvin diplomatic relations.