September 16, 2018
“A Dangerous New Phase”
Tensions between Iran & America heat up overseas.
Meanwhile, Fmr. Sec. of State John Kerry admits to meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister and discussing matters of great national importance to the United States.
Why some say he belongs in jail.
The Backstory
Sec. Kerry on a radio show last week promoting his new book admitted to meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister after he left office:
“I met with him at a conference in Norway. I think I saw him in a conference in Munich at the World Economic Forum. So I’ve probably seen him three or four times.”
Fmr. Sec. Kerry to Hugh Hewitt
Why This Matters:
- Private American citizens aren’t supposed to communicate with foreign officials to influence matters of national importance (“The Logan Act“).
- Context: Some say Mike Flynn, Pres. Trump’s former national security advisor, violated the Logan Act when he spoke with the Russian ambassador before Trump’s inauguration.
Logan Act
- Named for a Pennsylvania Quaker Dr. George Logan, friend of VP Thomas Jefferson, who traveled to France in the late 1700s and tried to negotiate on behalf of the United States. President John Adams wasn’t happy. Hence, a new law.
- No one has ever been convicted of the Logan Act in more than 220 years.
“I’ll leave the legal determinations to others. But what Secretary Kerry has done is unseemly and unprecedented. This is a former secretary of state engaged with the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, and according to him a right? You don’t have to take my word for it….He was talking to them. He was telling them to wait out this administration.”
Sec of State Mike Pompeo
ICYMI: Big Story
Important: During his presser, Sec. Pompeo squarely blamed Iran for firing rockets at America’s embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. consulate in Basra.
What’s Happening: Iran backs some Iraqi politicians, we support others. Iran blames the U.S. for stirring up dissent against the officials they support.
Kerry admitted to speaking to the Iranian Foreign Minister about Yemen, Syria, and Iranian backed terrorist organizations, like Hezbollah, and beyond. He says he has every right to speak to Iranian officials because past public officials, like Henry Kissinger, have done the same.
- Rockets Fired Toward U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Iraq
https://www.wsj.com/articles/rockets-fired-toward-u-s-diplomatic-missions-in-iraq-1536422312The attacks indicate that the rivalry between the U.S. and Iran—which support rival political groupings in Iraq—could be entering a dangerous new phase as they vie to shape the formation of the country”s next government. Iraq already faces a list of challenges after three years of war against Islamic State, among them rebuilding devastated areas and preventing defeated militants from regaining traction. - Full Interview: Fmr. Sec. of State Kerry on the Huge Hewitt radio show:A
Former Secretary of State John Kerry On His New Memoir Every Day Is Extra
http://www.hughhewitt.com/former-secretary-of-state-john-kerry-on-his-new-memoir-every-day-is-extra/ - Remarks to the Media Sec. of State Pompeo:A
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/09/285934.htm - The Logan Act:
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33265.pdf
by Jenna Lee,
