There is disagreement over the potential for ousting the crown prince. His father, the king, retains the power to do so. However, the latter’s health and mental awareness might not allow independent decisionmaking. MbS has made plenty of enemies, while many more princes probably fear running afoul of his paranoia, wrath, or whatever else motivates him. If they felt free to speak, one could imagine a royal consensus for change.

If peaceful solution is impossible, violence might appeal to some. Indeed, the crown prince’s attempt to protect himself politically by blaming a rogue operation conducted by top aides and bodyguards could make him vulnerable in more practical ways. If he is willing to sacrifice those closest to him, then they might see the value of removing him by whatever possible means. Author Karen Elliott House wrote of his vulnerability to “the violent hand of cooperation between disgruntled princes and praetorians.”

So far, however, the administration appears oblivious. The president is unable to see past the next arms sale. The secretary of state acts as if MbS was a criminal defendant in American courts entitled to due process. The president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner—who resides in MbS’s pocket, declared the crown prince last year—insists that “our job is to see through [deception] but also to stay focused on what’s best for the American people.”

In fact, the latter is true. And what’s best for the American people is to end U.S. coddling of a ruthless, authoritarian regime that has spread Islamist thought worldwide. It cannot be business as usual for Washington as long as a foolish, arrogant man with no judgment is heir to the Saudi throne. Anyone devoted to the “America First” philosophy should recognize how the United States is coming in last in the present relationship.

Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is author of Foreign Follies: America’s New Global Empire.