Donald Trump has been accused of violating federal law by allegedly calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the ceasefire deal the U.S. is helping negotiate between Israel and Hamas.
The former president allegedly made the call on August 14, according to Axios, which cited two unnamed “U.S. sources who were briefed on the call.”
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If Trump did make the call, he would potentially be breaking the law as the Logan Act, enacted in 1799, prohibits unauthorized private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments on behalf of the U.S.
American Muckrakers, an organization that states it seeks to hold politicians and officials accountable, has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of State.
If I understand the actual text of the law, it only refers to disputes that directly involve the U.S. This dispute does not. (Sure, the U.S. is indirectly involved, but we’re at least indirectly involved with everything.)
Yes, it would be stupid for him to involve himself, but Trump has done enough illegal shit that we don’t need to go looking for more.