On 11/18/2022, during press briefing, a reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, “And just to press this again, though: Was the President at all involved in the State Department’s decision regarding MBS and this Khashoggi case? Was he consulted by State Department officials, Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, anybody else? Was he asked to weigh in?”
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, again, this is — immunity determination is a legal one. That’s what I was laying out earlier. The United States consistently has afforded head of state immunity to heads of governments, such as prime ministers, consistent with customary institutional law.
U.S. practice on this issue is longstanding and consistent, including a number of head of state immunity cases from the past four administrations. And the example is President Aristide — this was Hait- — of Haiti in 1993. President of Zimbabwe — the president of Zimbabwe at the time in 2001. Prime Minister Modi, India, as we all know, in 2014.
And the State Department and DOJ will have more information for you on these particular — on these particular pieces.
I’m not aware —
Reporter: Right, but I’m asking about presidential involvement.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m — I’m just going to answer. I’m not — I’m not aware of any conversations providing advance notice. And so, I can — I can just say that I am not aware of any of — any advance notice to this particular issue.
Reporter: And then, on the MBS immunity issue, the administration was invited by the court to make a filing in this case, but it was not required to do so. So, why not let the court making its own determination as it relates to MBS’s immunity, particularly at a time when you’re supposedly reevaluating the relationship with Saudi Arabia?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look — look, again, it’s — a federal court requested the government’s legal position, so the Department of Justice provided it. That is what occurred, and that is what happened.
Reporter: “It was not required” is the — is the question.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I am — I would refer you to the State Department on any other specifics.
Reporter: And then, on the brief the State Department filed last night in the Jamal Khashoggi litigation, does the President have any concerns that the administration may be sending the wrong message about his commitment to holding the Saudis accountable on human rights? And can you say whether he signed off on that brief?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, just — just let me just say at the top, just so that there’s clarity — and I know that you’ve heard from the State Department on this as well, and other colleagues. At the request of a federal district court for U.S. government views on whether Mohammed bin Salman enjoys head of state immunity, the Department of Justice, at the request of the Department of State, informed the court that Prime Minister bin Salman is immune from suit in the U.S. — in U.S. courts while he holds the office of prime minister. It’s nothing to do with the merits of this case; I want to be very clear on this. But this is something that State Department and the Department of Justice has more details on, so I would certainly refer you — refer you to them.
Reporter: And to that point — in reference to the trip, in the wake of that trip, you were asked if the President still believes that Saudi Arabia is a pariah. At the time, you said his comments stand. And I’m wondering if that’s still the case today in the wake of this decision.
Jean Pierre: His comments stand. I’m just not going to go beyond what the President has said in the past.
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KJP: I’m not aware MBS; Q: why since not required? A: refer you to State Dept; Q: sending wrong message?