James Mattis: MBS's Complicity Unclear in Khashoggi Killing

Defense Secretary James Mattis, who last week said there was "no smoking gun" linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to journalist Jamal Khashoggi's slaying, reportedly walked back that assertion Thursday, saying the leader's complicity is still unresolved.

"We are continuing to review," Mattis told reporters traveling with him to Canada, the Washington Examiner reported. "I am quite satisfied we will find more evidence of what happened.

"I just don't know yet what it's going to be or who's going to be implicated, but we will follow it as far as we can."

Senators briefed by CIA Director Gina Haspel on Tuesday were nearly unanimous in their conclusion there was little doubt the crown prince – also known as MBS – was involved, and many felt misled by remarks from Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the matter.

Mattis insisted he was just being careful, saying, "If I say something, I need the evidence," the news outlet reported.

"There are sincere, studious people who are drawing different conclusions," Mattis said. "We are doing everything we can to go down every rabbit hole to find what's there. So, just bear with us. When we speak, it'll be with the authority, and I will not speculate or draw premature conclusions, but we are leaving no stone unturned."

• Senate Resolution Would Blame Saudis for Journalist's Death
• Sen. Durbin: Conclusions on Khashoggi Murder 'Obvious'