By Tulay Karadeniz and Roberta Rampton ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is preparing to acknowledge the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a botched interrogation, CNN and the New York Times said on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump speculated "rogue killers" may be responsible. Trump dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet King Salman over the case that has strained the Americans' relationship with the Saudis, carefully cultivated by the U.S. president. Khashoggi, a U.S. resident, Washington Post columnist and leading critic of the powerful Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago to get marriage documents. Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed. Citing two unidentified sources, CNN reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia is preparing a report that would acknowledge Khashoggi was killed as the result of an interrogation that went wrong. The Saudi government could not be reached immediately for comment on the CNN report. “I heard that report, but nobody knows if it’s an official report,” Trump told reporters, without elaborating. The New York Times, citing a person familiar with the Saudi plans, reported the crown prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government, it said, would shield the prince by blaming an intelligence official for the bungled operation. The case has provoked an international outcry against Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, with more media and business executives pulling out of a planned investment conference there this month. While organizers said Monday the conference will go on, the Saudis canceled an annual diplomatic reception in Washington set for later this week. Many members of the U.S. Congress, which has long had a testy relationship with Saudi Arabia, have issued strong criticism of the kingdom over the case. Turkish authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, a Turkish official and a security source told Reuters, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States. They provided no further details. Saudi Arabia has strongly denied killing Khashoggi and has denounced such assertions as "lies," saying he left the building shortly after entering. "The king firmly denied any knowledge of it," Trump told reporters after speaking with King Salman. "He didn't really know, maybe - I don't want to get into his mind but it sounded to me - maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows?" The U.S. president gave no evidence to support the theory. Democratic lawmakers criticized Trump for using the term "rogue killers". "Been hearing the ridiculous ‘rogue killers’ theory was where the Saudis would go with this," Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said on Twitter. "Absolutely extraordinary they were able to enlist the President of the United States as their PR agent to float it." KING ORDERS INVESTIGATION Trump called Pompeo on Sunday night and asked him to have face-to-face meetings with the Saudi leaders, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. Trump said Pompeo may go to Turkey after Saudi Arabia. Turkish police investigators entered the Istanbul consulate late on Monday. A Turkish diplomatic source had earlier said a joint Turkish-Saudi team would search the building - the last place Khashoggi was seen before he vanished on Oct. 2. "It has been 13 days since the event, so surely proving some of the evidence might be difficult" the Turkish official said. A Saudi official, not authorized to speak publicly, told Reuters that the king had ordered an internal investigation based on information from the joint team in Istanbul. Trump has threatened "severe punishment" if it turns out Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, although he has ruled out cancelling arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars with Saudi Arabia. European allies have urged "a credible investigation" and accountability for those responsible. Khashoggi, a familiar face on Arab talk shows, moved to the United States last year fearing retribution for his criticism of Prince Mohammed, who has cracked down on dissent with arrests. A pro-government Turkish daily published preliminary evidence last week from investigators who it said had identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team that arrived in Istanbul on diplomatic passports hours before Khashoggi disappeared. The Saudi consulate referred Reuters to authorities in Riyadh, who did not respond to questions about the 15 Saudis. Saudi Arabia has responded to Western statements by saying it would retaliate against any pressure or economic sanctions "with greater action," and Arab allies rallied to support it. The Saudi riyal fell to its lowest in two years and its international bond prices slipped over fears that foreign investment could shrink amid international pressure. The Saudi stock market had tumbled 7.2 percent over the previous two trading days but rebounded 2 percent on Monday. Concern over Khashoggi's disappearance has prompted media organizations and a growing number of guests to pull out of a "Davos in the Desert" investment conference set for Oct. 23-25, which has become the biggest show for investors to promote Prince Mohammed's reform vision. (Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy, Lesley Wroughton, Doina Chiacu in Washington, Rob Cox of Breakingviews, Steve Holland in Macon, Georgia; William James in London, and Dominic Evans in Istanbul; Writing by Stephen Kalin and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Mary Milliken, Alistair Bell and Howard Goller)<doc-sep>President Donald Trump said Monday Saudi Arabia's King Salman denied knowing what may have happened to missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump said on Twitter he spoke to the king Monday morning and that he is "immediately" sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with him. Executives including JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s JPM, -0.01% Jamie Dimon have dropped out of an upcoming investment conference in Saudi Arabia following Khashoggi's disappearance.<doc-sep>President Trump said Monday he is “immediately” sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Salman to discuss the disappearance of Saudi activist Jamal Khashoggi. “Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened ‘to our Saudi Arabian citizen.’ He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!” Trump tweeted Monday morning. Speaking to reporters before leaving Washington to tour hurricane damage in Florida, Trump vowed, "We are going to leave nothing uncovered." But he also noted the Saudi king strongly denied knowledge, while suggesting the possibility of outside involvement. "Maybe these could have been rogue killers -- who knows," Trump said, " ... but his was a flat denial." The State Department issued a brief statement saying Pompeo will travel Monday to Riyadh at Trump's request. Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post, was last seen nearly two weeks ago. Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi was killed inside his country’s consulate in Istanbul after he visited to obtain a document required to marry his Turkish fiancée. Saudia Arabia has denied the allegations and dismissed them as “baseless.” Trump was asked in an interview on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” Sunday whether he thought the Saudis murdered Khashoggi and did not rule out the possibility. “Nobody knows yet, but we’ll probably be able to find out. It’s being investigated. It’s being looked at very, very strongly. And we would be very upset and angry if that were the case,” Trump explained. “As of this moment, they deny it. And deny it vehemently. Could it be them? Yes.” Trump added: “There’s a lot at stake. And maybe especially so because this man was a reporter. There’s something—you’ll be surprised to hear me say that. There’s something really terrible and disgusting about that, if that were the case.” Trump said the U.S. would “get to the bottom of it” and noted there would be “severe punishment” for the Saudis if evidence proved they were involved in the murder of Khashoggi. Turkish media have published images from Oct. 2 of an alleged 15-member Saudi “assassination squad” and video of suspicious movements at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after Khashoggi’s disappearance. Several Republicans and Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee sent a letter to Trump requesting he “make a determination on the imposition of sanctions … with respect to any foreign person responsible for such a violation related to Mr. Khashoggi.” The letter triggered an investigation under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. That requires the administration to sanction those found responsible of a gross violation of human rights against someone exercising freedom of expression. The Saudis pushed back, warning that the Kingdom would “respond with greater action” should any sanctions or political decisions be made based on the “false accusations.” “The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by waving economic sanctions, using political pressure, or repeating false accusations,” the country said in a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency. “The Kingdom also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action, [and] that the Kingdom’s economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy.” The State Department called the bipartisan effort premature. “We don’t know the facts of this case just yet. So I think they’re getting ahead of themselves at this point,” said Heather Nauert, the State Department’s spokesperson. “We will watch the situation very carefully, very closely, wait for the facts to come out, and then we’ll get there.” Fox News’ Adam Shaw and Rich Edson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE said Monday he's sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Mike PompeoThe Memo: Media face hard questions on Trump, Wuhan lab Trump on Wuhan lab: Now everyone agrees 'I was right' With denuclearization stalled, Biden should focus on human rights reform in North Korea MORE to meet with King Salman of Saudi Arabia after the king denied knowing about the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened 'to our Saudi Arabian citizen,' " Trump wrote in a tweet, referring to Khashoggi without using his name. "He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!" Trump added. Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened “to our Saudi Arabian citizen.” He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 15, 2018 ADVERTISEMENT Trump told reporters outside the White House a short time later that Pompeo was departing "within an hour or so," and could visit Turkey as part of his trip as well. Trump's phone call with King Salman, 82, comes three days after the president said he intended to speak with the king "very soon" after Khashoggi's disappearance. Though Trump spoke with the king, much of the focus in Khashoggi's disappearance has been on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the heir apparent to the throne who holds significant power in the country. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and Saudi dissident, first went missing two weeks ago. He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was not seen leaving. Turkish officials have said they have audio and video that proves Khashoggi was killed at the consulate. Senators on Sunday indicated that it's looking increasingly likely that Khashoggi was murdered there. Saudi Arabian officials have said they do not know what happened to Khashoggi. Turkey and Saudi Arabia formed a joint working group to investigate the matter. CNN reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia has granted investigators permission to search the consulate in Istanbul. Trump warned in a "60 Minutes" interview broadcast Sunday that Saudi Arabia would face "severe punishment" if it's proven the country was involved in Khashoggi's disappearance, but was reluctant to alter arms deals between the U.S. and the Saudis. Khashoggi is an American resident living in self-imposed exile from Saudi Arabia, as he has been a frequent critic of the country's leadership. On Monday and in Oval Office remarks last week, Trump has made a point to note that Khashoggi is not an American citizen. While Trump has insisted the U.S. has yet to determine what happened to Khashoggi, lawmakers have been united in their outrage over his disappearance and vowed Saudi Arabia would face consequences in the matter. Senators invoked sanctions legislation last week to compel Trump to conduct an investigation into the issue. Sens. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerCheney set to be face of anti-Trump GOP How leaving Afghanistan cancels our post-9/11 use of force The unflappable Liz Cheney: Why Trump Republicans have struggled to crush her MORE (R-Tenn.), Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioFlorida state senator announces bid for Demings's House seat GOP senators introduce resolution condemning antisemitic violence amid 'horrific' spike in attacks The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Uber - One year later — has George Floyd's killing changed the world? MORE (R-Fla.) and Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeWhy Republican politicians are sticking with Trump The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Republican reactions to Cheney's removal Flake: No greater offense than honesty in today's Republican Party MORE (R-Ariz.) have all said in recent days that Saudi officials' denials don't hold up under scrutiny, particularly their claim that the cameras at the consulate did not record video around the time Khashoggi was last seen. "So, the only two things that could have happened is, he's alive and somehow still in there, or he's dead and the Saudis are the ones who did it," Rubio said. "There's no other explanation for it, because if there was video of him leaving, they would have shown it by now." "I believe the Trump administration will do something," Rubio added. "The president has said that. But, if he doesn't, Congress will. That, I can tell you with 100 percent certainty." Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven MnuchinDemocrats justified in filibustering GOP, says Schumer Yellen provides signature for paper currency Biden's name will not appear on stimulus checks, White House says MORE is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia next week for an economic summit. The White House has said Mnuchin is monitoring developments in Khashoggi's disappearance but still plans to attend.<doc-sep>
President Donald Trump said Monday morning that he would send Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "immediately" to meet with the Saudi king as the international outcry continued to grow over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump tweet The president also said King Salman denied knowledge of anything regarding the writer's fate. "His denial to me could not have been stronger," Trump told reporters later Monday morning. The president also suggested that "rogue killers" might have murdered Khashoggi, a Saudi national and critic of the royal family who was living in the U.S. under self-imposed exile. Trump said Pompeo would be departing for the kingdom on Monday morning. The State Department confirmed the top diplomat would be leaving Monday. "At the request of President Trump, Secretary of State Pompeo will travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today. The President has called for a prompt and open investigation into the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the department said in a statement. The White House didn't immediately respond to CNBC's request for further comment on the president's tweet. In a readout of the king's call with Trump, the Saudi government said the president "praised the joint Saudi-Turkish cooperation in the investigation into the disappearance of Jamal bin Ahmed Khashoggi and the keenness of the Kingdom's leadership to clarify all relevant facts." Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter, and a standoff with the royal family could create turbulence for the global economy, particularly in crude markets. The Trump administration is relying on Saudi Arabia to pump more oil to compensate for the loss of Iranian supplies due to U.S. sanctions on Iran, OPEC's third largest crude producer. The sanctions are poised to remove about 1 million barrels a day from the market, or roughly 1 percent of global oil demand. Oil prices initially rose on Monday after Saudi Arabia vowed on Sunday to retaliate against any sanctions or other measures taken against the kingdom. The statement raises concerns that Saudi Arabia could respond to international punishment by allowing oil prices to drift higher. Crude futures turned negative following Trump's tweet and his comment regarding "rogue killers." Trump's tweet came after King Salman ordered an investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. The journalist, a critic of the Saudi royal family who wrote columns for The Washington Post, was last seen Oct. 2, when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. While Salman is the official head of state, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has exerted extraordinary influence over the country's defense, intelligence and economic policy and strategy. The Turkish government believes Khashoggi was murdered. Turkey has reportedly informed the U.S. that it has video and audio evidence showing the journalist was killed inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia denies wrongdoing, a point Trump stressed in his Monday morning tweet. "Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened 'to our Saudi Arabian citizen,'" Trump wrote, noting again that Khashoggi is not an American.