Former National Security Council official Eugene Vindman is publicly calling for the release of a confidential 2019 phone call between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The demand centers on a pivotal moment following the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a case that continues to cast a long shadow over U.S.-Saudi relations.
Vindman, a retired Army colonel, revealed the call was one of two that deeply troubled him during his time in the Trump administration. The other involved Ukraine, and ultimately fueled the president’s first impeachment. He argues the American public has a right to know the full extent of the conversation, especially given intelligence assessments pointing to the Crown Prince’s involvement in Khashoggi’s death.
Standing alongside Khashoggi’s widow, Vindman asserted that Trump prioritized shielding a foreign leader over acknowledging the findings of his own intelligence community. He believes transparency is essential, not only for the grieving family but for the preservation of American credibility on the world stage.
Vindman’s call to action resonates with a history of controversy surrounding his testimony during the first impeachment proceedings. His and his brother’s reporting on the Ukraine call sparked accusations of undermining a duly elected president from Trump’s allies, framing this latest demand as a continuation of that political battle.
The timing of Vindman’s statement is particularly significant. Washington’s current embrace of bin Salman highlights a recurring dilemma in U.S. foreign policy: balancing strategic and economic interests against concerns for human rights and accountability. This delicate dance has defined the relationship for decades.
Recent developments underscore this tension. Despite lingering questions surrounding the 9/11 attacks and Khashoggi’s murder, the Trump administration forged sweeping defense and investment deals with Saudi Arabia. The kingdom was granted major non-NATO ally status, paving the way for increased arms sales and military cooperation.
Bin Salman pledged nearly $1 trillion in new Saudi investments in U.S. industries, including infrastructure and technology. These commitments were announced alongside a Strategic Defense Agreement, encompassing purchases of advanced weaponry and joint manufacturing ventures designed to bolster the American industrial base.
During a White House visit, reporters pressed bin Salman on Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the 9/11 attacks and Khashoggi’s killing, a rare moment of direct questioning for the Crown Prince. Trump dismissed the inquiries as an attempt to “embarrass” his guest.
Bin Salman offered a statement that appeared to express regret over Khashoggi’s death, while maintaining his denial of direct involvement. He characterized the killing as a “huge mistake” and claimed improvements had been made to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A 2021 intelligence report concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved an operation to capture or kill Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Despite this assessment, bin Salman has repeatedly denied authorizing the murder, stating he takes “full responsibility as a leader” for the event occurring under his watch.
The question of Saudi involvement in the September 11th terrorist attacks remains a deeply sensitive issue. While 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens, the U.S. government has not established a direct link between the Saudi state and the attacks.
Families of 9/11 victims vehemently condemned bin Salman’s invocation of Osama bin Laden during his White House remarks, arguing it was a deflection tactic. They pointed to a recent court ruling allowing Saudi Arabia to be held accountable in a trial related to the attacks.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled in 2025 that Saudi Arabia could face trial for its alleged role in the 9/11 attacks, citing evidence of a network of Saudi officials providing logistical support to the hijackers. The court cited evidence of prior planning and coordination.
Saudi Arabia continues to deny any involvement in the 9/11 attacks, labeling the allegations as false. However, for bin Salman, the families’ unwavering pursuit of justice serves as a stark reminder that the past continues to shape the present, even as the U.S. deepens its partnership with Riyadh.
