Sen. Chris Murphy, D-C.T., privately met with a top Iran official during an overseas trip — and President Donald Trump said he “must be dealt with.”
Murphy’s conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Munich, Germany, could be a violation of the Logan Act, Trump noted.
“I saw that Sen. Murphy met with the Iranians, is that a fact?” Trump asked Tuesday before boarding Air Force One. “I just saw that on the way over. Is there anything I should know? Because that sounds like, to me, a violation of the Logan Act.”
The Logan Act prohibits Americans from engaging in “rogue” negotiations with foreign governments.
The Federalist first reported on the secret meeting in Munich, which Murphy later admitted and confirmed on a social media platform. He wrote about his mission to discuss the Qasem Soleimani fallout, Yemen, and American prisoners held in Iran.
“Discussions and negotiations are a way to ease tensions and reduce the chances for a crisis,” he wrote. “But Trump, of course, has no such interests … if Trump isn’t going to talk to Iran, then someone should.”
Wednesday, Trump kept up the pressure.
Former Secretary of State John “Kerry & Murphy illegally violated the Logan Act,” he wrote. “This is why Iran is not making a deal. Must be dealt with strongly!”
Kerry & Murphy illegally violated the Logan Act. This is why Iran is not making a deal. Must be dealt with strongly! https://t.co/RpTW9c09ZY
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2020
Kerry has been accused of repeatedly violating the Logan Act after advising Iranian negotiators and Iranian leadership on how to manage Trump.
A Spokesperson for Kerry has denied any wrongdoing, according to Fox News.
Murphy himself is no stranger to the Logan Act. In 2017, when former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn discussed negotiations with Russia, Murphy suggested that the law come down on Flynn.
“Murphy was among Flynn’s most vocal critics at the time,” The Washington Post wrote, “pushing for an investigation into the retired Army general’s actions.”
The Horn editorial team