President Trump speaks on energy infrastructure at the Cameron LNG Export Terminal in Hackberry, La., on May 14, 2019. By Jordan E. Taylor Jordan E. Taylor is a historian of print and politics in revolutionary America. May 15 at 6:00 AM Last week, President Trump confirmed the fears of many late 18th-century Americans when he suggested that former secretary of state John F. Kerry had violated the Logan Act, a 1799 law that prohibits ordinary citizens from negotiating with foreign powers.
Notably, though, Trump’s assertion that Kerry “should be prosecuted” under the terms of the Logan Act repudiates its very goal: removing partisan influence from diplomacy. In fact, this threat of prosecution legitimizes the very fear of the law that its detractors voiced: that in its attempt to curb partisanship, it actually invites opportunities to inflame partisan tensions.
Franco-American diplomacy had become a particularly contentious issue. Led by Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic-Republican Party was sympathetic to France — so much so that opponents often referred to its members as “Jacobins.” The Federalist Party, led by President John Adams, was much more suspicious about France and closely aligned with Britain. The result was a rancorous partisan debate in 1795 when the Federalist government negotiated a friendly treaty with Britain, known as the Jay Treaty.
With Logan’s example fresh in Federalists’ minds, a bitter debate ensued in Congress. Federalist James Bayard worried that if a person like Logan negotiated a treaty on his own behalf, one party might say it should be accepted and the other that it should not, which “might involve the country in a civil war.”
Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)
Maybe John Kerry could explain it for us when he gets back from terrorist regime of Iran.
Nothing
There is a lot the Russian Prostitute doesn't understand including telling truth
Did you just copy your old article from 2 years ago? 'What Sally Yates doesn't understand about the Logan Act' Oh that's right, you never wrote that one. Hypocrites.
Wa-Po is fake news.
Opps. No, wait. I mean ooops. EpochTimes indicates payola political writers are in for something. 'Two Years In A Leaky Boat.....TWO YEARS IN A LEAKY BOOOAAAT.'
John Kerry
Only two people have ever been indicted on charges of violating the Act one in 1802 and the other in 1852. Neither was convicted of violating the Act.
Add it to the list of things he doesn’t understand.
I hate Trump, but remind me again...who was the last person prosecuted under the Logan Act?
You’ve lost the privilege of explaining anything. Ask a general Flynn about the Logan act? Looking forward to the day when you go out of business.
he does not understand anything about everything
No bias at all folks.
Ask sally Yates why she tried to push the logan act on gen flynn. You are fake news!
Everything
Sally Yates should comment on this. Nice try Fake News WAPO.
Hmmm I don’t recall any criticism from the WP when Sally Yates was using the Logan Act against Michael Flynn
More crap from the commie post
This could become a daily column: what Trump doesn’t understand about... the list of subjects is endless!!!
Another thing he doesn’t understand. No surprises there!
You mean the same Logan Act used by SallyQYates pulled out of the air against Gen Flynn? Didn't hear much protest from you then?
You know nothing comrade
I old enough to remember when the WashPost was publishing articles about how Michael Flynn had violated the Logan Act
Oh really!
Oh, believe me, he knows far more than you’d like him to. His law abiding lawyers and Federal Prosecutors will patiently explain it to the masses. Can’t wait
Zero integrity com-post
Talk about selective outrage. Have you no self awareness? Do you not remember the Logan act, sally Yates and Michael Flynn?
'A Logan Act for me but not for thee'
What Kerry is doing is treasonous. Can you imagine Condi Rice doing the same thing to Obama? You you lose what's left of your mind!
Here's what Trump does understand: The Logan Act was used by the Obama administration to illegally spy on Flynn, who was calling a Russian on behalf of the incoming administration with Obama's permission.
Duh
That it's not about wolverine?
He understands that it was used to target his incoming National Security Advisor and got the guy thrown in jail. I guess John Kerry explicitly undermining US foreign policy doesn't rise to the level of meddling that Flynns phone call did, though...What do you know, WaPo
Perhaps you can ask SallyQYates
Come on, what trump doesn’t know about laws & governing is expansive. It’s also called learned ignorance
this is why Americans hate the biased liberal mainstream media propaganda hacks and their fake news
Perhaps. Sally Yates can explain it to us
By now everyone knows WaPo, CNN articles are just tabloid trash in vain attempt to cover for Democrats. Kerry is conducting unauthorised Foreign Relations in direct contrast to the White House. He is aiding and abetting hostile Foreign Powers. Treason in other words.
Yet he's succeeded in moving the economy, where Obuma's economy continuously struggled. Near record employment. And this in spite of the DEMOCRATS and media obstructing him.
What Trump doesn’t understand would fill a 32 Volume Encyclopedia.
It's so sad that you continue to be a laughingstock. Smh!
I seem to remember someone named Sally Yates.
Hypocritical democratic propaganda machine at work. FakeNews Remember Flynn. Sit down shut up
Liberals have no problem with a former Secretary of State working with a terrorist regime against the United States interest
What part of Kerry actively opposing official US policy towards Iran by meeting with Iranian official dont you understand?
Did you public-deceiving rogues bribe FBI?
Perspective: What the Washington Post doesn't understand about the Logan Act
You’re right, what Trump is describing that Kerry did more aligns with treason
Just believe the opposite of whatever the Bezos Washington Post says.
But you are the same people that had no issues with sally Yates threatening General Flynn with the Logan Act.
Just wondering, where is the Bilderberg Group meeting at this year? And which American politicians will be attending?
Have SallyQYates explain it. Then rationalize why she thinks it’s different in each case. That would be amusing.
This is why you are 100% fake news and enemy of the people
You frauds don’t even try to hide your pathological bias. The Logan act only applies to republicans and conservatives. Right? 🖕🏼you fakenews EnemyOfThePeople
Amazing, why wasn’t WP questioning this narrative when it was leaked by SallyQYates and targeted GenFlynn ? WP, you’re a disgrace to the country
Sally Yates doesn't 'understand' either?
Is Sally Yates available for comment?
I’m sure you will educate us with a slant. So you think Kerry’s gestures toward Iran are appropriate?
John Kerry purposely undermined the realDonaldTrump administration by telling the leaders of other countries to not deal with Trump. That is exactly what the Logan Act is for. The USA speaks to other countries with one voice through the current State Dept.
Our country is doing pretty dang good, for the people that want to work. As far as the lazy, give me free & equal people, not so much.
Freakin Hypocrites! Tell that to Sally Yates who ruined GenFlynn's entire LIFE and good name! WednesdayWisdom
So what was Sally Yates crying about then? Maybe she should give us all an explanation?
WaPo in 2017: 'A citizen of the United States should not conduct U.S. foreign affairs without the permission of the government of the United States.' As long as John Kerry is talking to the terrorist regime about grandkids I suppose all it well.
The Washington Compost is still posing as a news organization, when it's nothing more than a propaganda machine for the failing Democrat party.
Lmao where was this opinion piece when sally yates accused mike flynn
Hey look everyone it’s the Washington compost. The fake news factory. maga
Logan Act can only be used as a cudgel by lawless hacks like SallyQYates against political enemies in order to give cover to illicit spying on the opposition party candidate.
Washington Compost =Very FAKE NEWS. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😅😂😂😂😂🤪🤪🤪🤪😜🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ask John Kerry…
Trump 2020
What a joke. You were all for it when the treasonous SallyQYates wanted to use it against a General Flynn. If nothing else the WaPo is corrupt.
The orange dumbfuck doesn’t understand a whole lot of other things either.
Perspective: What doesn’t understand about getting trolled by potus with the “Logan Act.”
Or electricity, tariffs, economics, business, computers, pleasing a woman, being a dad, dressing for success, sensible eating, class...
This is a classic kind of 'propaganda news story' where 'republishing false claims' operates to CONDITION the readers of abject falsehoods.
What doesn’t he understand about anything.
He doesn’t understand shit about shit!
This article could be summed up as, 'it mostly only applies to people Democrats don't like'.
5 deferments attacking another veteran
Answer - ALL OF IT! It isn't written in Russian with crayon on construction paper and he is simply to stupid to read it.
Trump doesn’t understand much!
MAINSTREAM MEDIA DOES NOT REPORT THIS GinniRometty IBM Seterus Politicians-I contacted Mayopoulos FannieMae about this Scam pulled on MY MORTGAGE I am always CURRENT. Contacted SenWarren Comey filed papers & both have copies -NOTHING DONE CNN nytimes MassAGO
You mean other than the fact that DonaldJTrumpJr violated it when he hosted communist Russians at Trump Tower to discuss the repeal of the Magnitsky Act?
Trump does not understand a damn thing!
That’s funny, the man doesn’t have any idea what he’s doing other then shooting from the hip!!
look at that all white audience behind him. Makes me want to puke, laughing at his insults, applauding his insanity
Trump unconsciously withdrew troops from Syria to Afghanistan Venezuela Iraq Africa ......)
Or anything else for that matter. He does understand collaboration and submission to a foreign adversary.
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