Ever since the events of October 2nd, 2018, more information regarding the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has come to light.

Originally, the Saudi government claimed that they, specifically the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had nothing to do with his murder. Since the murder, the Saudi government has changed their story about what happened at least three times.

On Dec. 10 a source of CNN described what they had read in a “translated transcript of an audio recording of Khashoggi’s painful last moments” (CNN).

The source says you can hear the sounds of struggles, Khashoggi repeatedly claiming that he “can’t breathe,” and “sounds of Khashoggi’s body being dismembered by a saw, as the alleged perpetrators are advised to listen to music to block out the sound” (CNN).

A day after this information was released, Time magazine announced their person of the year. This year’s person of the year is a group of journalists that the magazine calls “The Guardians.” Jamal Khashoggi is one the journalists recognized by Time magazine, making this year the first where a deceased person is recognized (CNN).

On Nov. 16, the CIA concluded that the Crown Prince ordered the assassination of Khashoggi (BBC). Despite the ongoing facts and conclusion issued by the CIA, President Trump has ordered zero repercussions against Saudi Arabia.

The need for a close relationship with the Prince, Saudi Arabia’s influence over the American oil industry and the “America First” movement have all played a part in his decision.

According to CNN Politics, Trump stated that he needs America to stay in good terms with the prince as Saudi Arabia is the main ally to help keep Iran (one of America’s biggest security threats) in check and provide national security protection. Saudi Arabia is also the number one influence over Middle East oil which America is known to use.

A strain on the relationship could cause the U.S. economy to drastically drop and as Trump has repeatedly shared, he wants to help keep “America first.” President Trump has sworn to the idea of focusing on the U.S. before foreign relations. This, he says, is another reason for no punishment against Saudi Arabia as he does not want to disrupt the American economy for the death of Khashoggi.

On Dec. 13, the US senate voted unanimously to “condemn the Saudi crown prince as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi” (Washington Post), directly rebuking Trump’s original orders.