Sarah K. Burris
August 15, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and US President Donald Trump have developed a close relationship. (AFP/File / JACK GUEZ)
Former top Justice Department prosecutor Andrew Weissmann observed that Donald Trump has broken the law again, but noted it is a rarely enforced law.
Trump spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, two U.S. sources who were briefed on the call told Axios on Wednesday One source claimed Trump's call was an attempt to encourage Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire deal being offered.
Weissmann said that it's an example of history repeating itself. He recalled Richard Nixon "obstructing peace negotiations on Vietnam." Then-Gov. Ronald Reagan's (R-CA) aides made a secret deal with Iranian leaders to delay the release of American hostages at the time, The New Republic reported.
Trump has also been telegraphing messages to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would end U.S. support of Ukraine in the ongoing war.
Such moves violate the Logan Act, a law that made it illegal for an "unauthorized" American citizen to try and negotiate foreign policy with a foreign government.
"Although never enforced," said Weissmann.
In those previous years, the lawmakers who violated the Logan Act then became presidents, which could have prevented any possible enforcement of the law.
On May 7, Hamas accepted the terms of a ceasefire deal "that follows the three-phase framework," said a timeline on Al Jazeera. On May 31, President Joe Biden endorsed the deal, The New York Times said.
In a statement to the press on Thursday, Netanyahu's team said that the prime minister did not "discuss the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal." Netanyahu has been blamed for blocking the deal.
August 15, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and US President Donald Trump have developed a close relationship. (AFP/File / JACK GUEZ)
Former top Justice Department prosecutor Andrew Weissmann observed that Donald Trump has broken the law again, but noted it is a rarely enforced law.
Trump spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, two U.S. sources who were briefed on the call told Axios on Wednesday One source claimed Trump's call was an attempt to encourage Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire deal being offered.
Weissmann said that it's an example of history repeating itself. He recalled Richard Nixon "obstructing peace negotiations on Vietnam." Then-Gov. Ronald Reagan's (R-CA) aides made a secret deal with Iranian leaders to delay the release of American hostages at the time, The New Republic reported.
Trump has also been telegraphing messages to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would end U.S. support of Ukraine in the ongoing war.
Such moves violate the Logan Act, a law that made it illegal for an "unauthorized" American citizen to try and negotiate foreign policy with a foreign government.
"Although never enforced," said Weissmann.
In those previous years, the lawmakers who violated the Logan Act then became presidents, which could have prevented any possible enforcement of the law.
On May 7, Hamas accepted the terms of a ceasefire deal "that follows the three-phase framework," said a timeline on Al Jazeera. On May 31, President Joe Biden endorsed the deal, The New York Times said.
In a statement to the press on Thursday, Netanyahu's team said that the prime minister did not "discuss the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal." Netanyahu has been blamed for blocking the deal.
No comments:
Post a Comment