Kushner advised Saudi crown prince after Khashoggi killing: report

President Trump’s adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, reportedly offered advice to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about how to “weather the storm” after the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The New York Times reported Saturday that Kushner and the crown prince, who have long been known to have an informal relationship, continued to chat after Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, despite formal White House procedures for contacts with foreign leaders.

American officials and a Saudi briefed on the conversations told the newspaper that the two men were on a first-name basis in their texts and calls.

{mosads}One Saudi said that Kushner offered “advice about how to weather the storm, urging him to resolve his conflicts around the region and avoid further embarrassments,” according to the Times.

Kushner’s relationship with the crown prince has raised eyebrows, with some worried that Kushner could be easily manipulated by the Saudis.

Others familiar with the White House and Kushner told the Times that the adviser has urged Trump to stand by the crown prince and maintain the Saudi relationship in the wake of Khashoggi’s killing.

“Jared has always meticulously followed protocols and guidelines regarding the relationship with [the crown prince] and all of the other foreign officials with whom he interacts,” a White House spokesman told the Times.

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist, was killed inside the consulate in October.

Despite pressure from lawmakers and reported intelligence community findings that the crown prince ordered the murder, Trump has refused to condemn him directly for any involvement.

Defense Secretary James Mattis said last week that the investigation into the journalist’s death is ongoing.