Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the decision to retain or replace Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was for the Saudis, but stressed that they would have to shoulder the consequences.
In an interview with Fox News, Graham criticized the Saudi crown prince, warned of the repercussions of his actions and reiterated that he would not turn a blind eye to what Mohammed bin Salman did.
He also commented on the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his consulate in Istanbul last month. "I think it is Bin Salman who did it and I think he is absolutely crazy after all he has done in the Middle East," he said.
With US President Donald Trump insisting on the importance of what brings together Riyadh and Washington, the Republican senator said he supports their strategic relationship, but stressed that Saudi Arabia needs the United States, not vice versa. "I'm not talking about ending the relationship with Saudi Arabia, it needs us more than we need, and it is not difficult to ask an ally not to kill someone in the consulate."
With increasing pressure on the crown prince even from within the ruling family, media reports say dozens of princes are seeking to prevent him from taking the throne. "If you want to replace him with someone else who is not crazy, that would be a good move," Graham said.