Why Trump supports the arrest of wealthy Saudis

CAIRO – 8 November 2017: U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on the Saudi government's campaign of arrests over the past few days have raised many question marks, especially since his comments support the Saudi Arabian move despite the damage to the interests and investments of some U.S.-based businessmen.

Trump on Monday approved a move by Saudi Arabia’s future king who tightened his grip on power through an anti-corruption purge by arresting royals, ministers and investors.

The improvement has enhanced the U.S.-Saudi relationship, which has greatly improved under Trump's presidency.

Trump also said on Monday that he has great confidence in King Salaman and his son. He also tweeted that "they know exactly what they are doing," adding that some of those they are harshly treating have been “milking” their country for years.

Among those arrested were billionaire investor Al-Waleed bin Talal who is one of the kingdom’s most prominent businessmen.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabian banks have frozen more than 1,200 accounts belonging to individuals and companies in the Kingdom as part of the government's anti-corruption purge, bankers and lawyers said. They added that the number is rising.

Trump's first trip abroad as president was to Saudi Arabia where King Salman gave him a remarkably warm greeting. U.S.-Saudi ties had been strained under the Obama administration, which they felt considered Riyadh’s alliance with Washington less important than the Iran nuclear deal negotiations.