Lawmaker Seeks Declassification of ‘Shocking’ 2019 Call Between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince
Rep. Eugene Vindman claims transcript of call after Khashoggi’s murder reveals troubling content and demands public release
Representative Eugene Vindman, a Democrat from Virginia and former attorney at the United States National Security Council, publicly urged the White House on Friday to declassify the transcript of a 2019 phone call between then-President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the wake of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
Vindman, who reviewed the call in his NSC role, described it as “highly disturbing” and suggested that it involved a quid-pro-quo arrangement benefiting the president.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, Vindman declined to reveal the substance of the call, citing its classification, but stated that “the American people and the Khashoggi family deserve to know what was said on that call.” He also drew parallels to the July 2019 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy—monitoring of which had precipitated Trump’s first impeachment—adding that this Saudi call “shocked” him even more.
Vindman and some 38 House Democrats sent a formal letter to the White House urging immediate declassification, drawing attention to the wider implications of U.S.–Saudi relations and Trump family business links.
The call reportedly occurred on June 21 2019 and involved issues such as oil prices and tensions with Iran.
The White House responded dismissively, labelling Vindman a “bitter back-bencher” and calling his request “politically motivated.” Administration officials have indicated no intention to release the transcript, citing national-security concerns.
The demand for disclosure comes amid renewed scrutiny of U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, especially after the crown prince’s visit to Washington and Trump’s public defence of him—actions which Vindman argued amounted to rewriting history regarding Khashoggi’s assassination.
While Congress lacks a clear mechanism to compel release, Vindman said he was prepared to testify or brief committees if required and described the matter as a test of transparency, presidential accountability and American credibility.
Vindman, who reviewed the call in his NSC role, described it as “highly disturbing” and suggested that it involved a quid-pro-quo arrangement benefiting the president.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, Vindman declined to reveal the substance of the call, citing its classification, but stated that “the American people and the Khashoggi family deserve to know what was said on that call.” He also drew parallels to the July 2019 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy—monitoring of which had precipitated Trump’s first impeachment—adding that this Saudi call “shocked” him even more.
Vindman and some 38 House Democrats sent a formal letter to the White House urging immediate declassification, drawing attention to the wider implications of U.S.–Saudi relations and Trump family business links.
The call reportedly occurred on June 21 2019 and involved issues such as oil prices and tensions with Iran.
The White House responded dismissively, labelling Vindman a “bitter back-bencher” and calling his request “politically motivated.” Administration officials have indicated no intention to release the transcript, citing national-security concerns.
The demand for disclosure comes amid renewed scrutiny of U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, especially after the crown prince’s visit to Washington and Trump’s public defence of him—actions which Vindman argued amounted to rewriting history regarding Khashoggi’s assassination.
While Congress lacks a clear mechanism to compel release, Vindman said he was prepared to testify or brief committees if required and described the matter as a test of transparency, presidential accountability and American credibility.