President Donald Trump protected Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from Congress following the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi , according to passages from journalist Bob Woodwards forthcoming book, Rage.

According to Business Insider , which obtained an advance copy of Woodwards book, Trump spoke with the veteran reporter in late January about Khashoggi, who was a harsh critic of Saudi Arabias government. Khashoggi had also served as a columnist for The Washington Post until he was killed by Saudi agents in Istanbul in 2018.

Woodward, an associate editor of the Post who has worked at the paper since 1971, told Trump that the newspapers staff was highly distressed by Khashoggis death, which was allegedly ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed .

[Khashoggis death] is one of the most gruesome things, Woodward reportedly stated. You yourself have said.

Yeah, but Iran is killing 36 people a day, so Trump began, until Woodward pressed him to comment on the crown princes alleged involvement.

I saved his ass, Trump said. I was able to get Congress to leave him alone. I was able to get them to stop.

Trump went on to argue that Saudi Arabia was an important business partner for the United States, and repeated the crown princes claims that he had nothing to do with Khashoggis murder.

He will always say that he didnt do it, Trump said. He says that to everybody, and frankly Im happy that he says that. But he will say that to you, he will say that to Congress, and he will say that to everybody. Hes never said he did it.

After Woodward asked Trump if he believed this, continued to refer to the importance of Saudi Arabia as a U.S. ally: He says very strongly that he didnt do it. Bob, they spent $400 billion over a fairly short period of time.