Rand Paul: Sanctions Seen as 'Weakness' to Saudis, Stop Arms Sale

Sanctions against Saudi Arabia in the wake of the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are “pretending to do something without really doing anything,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday.

In an interview on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Paul noted that most of the targets of the sanctions “are in prison, other than the Crown Prince [Mohammed bin Salman. or MBS]”

"The thing about sanctions is that I think sanctions are pretending to do something without really doing anything,” he said.

"We need to punish who ordered this, who's in charge, and really the only thing they understand over there is strength,” he added. “I think they will see sanctions as weakness on the part of the president and if the president wants to act strongly he should cut off the arms sale."

Paul said he also sees no point in trying to ignore MSB’s culpability in the death of the Saudi critic and Washington Post journalist.

"I think the evidence is overwhelming that the crown prince was involved,” he said. “And so, no, I don't think we can sweep this under the rug." 

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