January 1, Biden Addresses Rumored Saudi Arabia Trip

President Joe Biden addressed rumors that he’s planning a visit to Saudi Arabia, saying it’s a “possibility,” but he’s not “going to change” his “views on human rights,” Axios reported.

According to the outlet, Biden was responding to questions about whether he was planning to visit the kingdom to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who the U.S. determined is responsible for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi — which Saudi officials deny.

But Biden has reportedly been considering visiting Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Middle East at the end of the month.

“I am not sure whether I am going [to Saudi Arabia]. I have no direct plans at the moment,” Biden said to reporters.

“I have been engaged in trying to work with how we can bring more stability and peace to the Middle East. There is a possibility I would be going to meet both Israel and some Arab countries at the time … I expect Saudi Arabia would be included in that if I did go. But I have no direct plans at the moment.”

During his 2020 campaign, Biden called Saudi Arabia a “pariah.”

When asked by a reporter if he still considered Saudi Arabia a pariah, Biden said: “I am not gonna change my views on human rights but, as president of the U.S., my job is to try to bring peace if I can.”