The Logan Act makes it criminal for any unauthorized citizen to negotiate with any foreign power against the interests of the USA.
When Flynn did so, Trump had been elected but not sworn in. That’s the kicker.
Then, Flynn lied to the FBI about those contacts, another crime.
Additionally, Flynn was not registered as a foreign agent, and that’s against the law also, to negotiate on behalf of a foreign power.
The FBI did wiretap a few calls between Flynn and the Russians but there was only very minimal incrimination.
But, Kislyak and other Russians were reporting back to Russia, contacts of a much more substantial nature that were clear violations of the Logan Act, that happened before Trump was sworn in.
So, the FBI figured out that Flynn was meeting with the Russians in person to avoid FBI eavesdropping, that’s what Flynn lied about. Instead of about 4 conversations with the Russians, there were about 30, mostly face to face, no records.
In fact, the Russians agreed to change their tactics at the UN because of an agreement with Flynn and his Trump contacts, before Trump was sworn in, that’s against the law, the Logan Act.
Additionally, Flynn was not registered as a foreign agent, and that’s against the law also, to negotiate on behalf of a foreign power.
Whomever, on the Trump transition team was Flynn’s handler is in big, big trouble. If Trump was told about any of these goings on before he was sworn in, he was obligated to tell the Justice Dept./FBI.
If not, that’s conspiracy and/or obstruction of justice. It may seem petty, because if they had waited just a couple of weeks, all these contacts would have been completely legal.
As with the Manafort indictment, I have a suspicion that Flynn's biggest crimes relate to his dealings long before December 2016.
rumor I have heard around the internet is that is Jared kushner the son in law... question is did Trump know and can they prove it...
I am simply amazed at how many people run to MSM talking points without bothering to look up the actual law.
The “Logan Act” talking point was never mentioned until today, when the MSM brought it up as a red herring.
Read the elements of 18 U.S. Code § 953.
Cooperation with Russia AGAINST ISIS wouldn’t even be a technical violation of the law.
Moreover, one federal court has already ruled that the Constitutionality of the Logan Act (18 USCS § 953) is doubtful under Amendment 6 to the United States Constitution that an accused shall be informed of nature and cause of accusation since statute makes use of vague and indefinite terms, “defeat” and “measures.” Waldron v British Petroleum Co. (1964, SD NY) 231 F Supp 72, 8 FR Serv 2d 56F.1, Case 1.
Obama directly flew to the Middle East to talk to foreign state leaders in 2008 only as a mere presidential candidate so he’s in “violation” of the Logan Act. The Logan Act is a joke.
No one has ever been convicted for a Logan Act violation in 220 years. Trump is not going to get convicted for this idiocy, especially as an incoming president not now not never.
Okay, let's assume all that you describe is true.
What part exactly was "against the interests of the USA?"
It was after the electoral college vote, which is what actually makes a person the president-elect. The swearing in ceremony is just that. A ceremony.
There is no violation of the Logan act.
If the Logan Act is all they got on Trump, Mueller is an absolute failure.
There's such a mania for the establishment to get to Trump, it seems to be lost in all this that the original charge of collusion during the campaign is all but forgotten; and all anyone is focused on is the sting run by the outgoing Obama administration with the assistance of the entire government intelligence community.
The Logal Act is unconstitutional and that why no one has been convicted of it.
Urging the Russians to do or not do something is not itself a violation of the Logan Act.