Trump 'not considering' extraditing exiled Turkish Islamic cleric, despite US efforts to reduce Turkish pressure on Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump said on Saturday he is “not considering” extraditing an Islamic cleric self-exiled in the United States to Turkey.

The extradition of Fethullah Gulen, accused of plotting a failed coup in 2016 to overthrow Turkish President Tayipp Erdogan, would be a strategic effort to persuade Turkey to lessen scrutiny on Saudi Arabia over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In recent months, the Trump administration has been vigorous in its defence and flattery of its close ally Saudi Arabia – and the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman – in hopes Riyadh will serve its role in carrying out the president’s Middle East foreign policy.

“No, it’s not under consideration,” Mr Trump said when pressed on whether or not he would extradite the Turkish cleric, a political opponent of Erdogan, to his home country. “We are looking, always looking at whatever we can do for Turkey.”

Mr Trump’s statement comes three days after NBC News reported that his administration is looking into whether or not extraditing Mr Gulen could convince the Turkish president to soften pressure on Saudi Arabia for reportedly killing Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of Riyadh, in its Istanbul consulate earlier last month.

Earlier this month, Mr Erdogan penned an op-ed for the Washington Post speculating the murder of Mr Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Riyadh government, though he stopped short of naming King Salman. “We know that the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government,” Erdogan wrote.

The US President has been notably defensive of the Saudi Arabia, citing that the kingdom serves a purpose in countering Iranian influence in the Middle East and the much anticipated billion dollar arms deal with them. Mr Trump described the Arabian Kingdom as “a truly spectacular ally in terms of jobs and economic development.”

Mr Trump said he maintains a friendly relationship with Mr Erdogan, and that he hopes to continue to improve US-Turkish relations. The president praised his Turkish counterpart and called him “a friend of mine. He’s a strong man, he’s a tough man and he’s a smart man.”