WASHINGTON, DC – Extending a pattern of calling for broadcasters who criticize him to lose their license, President Donald Trump today called for ABC to have its broadcast license revoked after one of its reporters asked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and later asked President Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Unconscionably, President Trump sought to brush off Khashoggi’s murder by Saudi agents, which U.S. intelligence says was ordered by the Saudi crown prince, by saying: “You’re mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen.”

Then, referring to the crown prince, Trump said: “But he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.”

Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) stated:

“Once again, President Trump is dismissing U.S. intelligence and seeking to undermine press freedoms. He wants to silence his critics and evade accountability. His Administration has systematically sought to put down key independent watchdogs and tried to restrict press access.

“There is a clear pattern of President Trump putting his own narrow self-interest above American values. He continues to threaten government retaliation against organizations that disagree with his views or criticizes his irresponsible policies that are creating serious economic hardships for everyday Americans.

“Our democracy requires a free, independent press that has a right and a duty to ask questions, challenge the government’s positions, help root out corruption, and speak truth to power without fear of government interference, revenge, and reprisal.

“President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth should remember that in America, unlike Saudi Arabia, the press serves the public -- not the government. Here in the United States, journalists are protected by the law, have the right to free speech, and a duty to truthfully report the facts – even if the President himself disagrees. And we as lawmakers and citizens must stand up for those rights, freedoms, and protections lest they be taken away or eroded by executive overreach.”