# Did Obama violate the Logan Act? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 6, 2017, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602 "2017-07-06T14:29:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/1 "2017-07-06T14:29:16Z")
According to my Facebook feed, he did (and Trump has a nasty surprise for him when he gets back :rolleyes:). I tried to Google: “Obama Logan Act” but all I’m getting is a bunch of Right Wing sites. Does anyone know if their is any merit to this story? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/2 "2017-07-06T14:35:33Z")
[Gateway Pundit.](http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/07/draft-president-obama-may-be-breaking-the-logan-act-by-conniving-with-foreign-governments-behind-president-trumps-back/) > [@](#): > > Disgraced President Obama ended his Presidency with the worst economic results since the early 1900’s and the Middle East on fire but this has not stopped him from meddling in foreign affairs with foreign governments around the world. For example, last week President Trump met with the leader of South Korea and this week fallen President Obama arranged a meeting with the Korean leader. If the President discussed any topics related to US policy which do not agree with President Trump’s policies, the discredited former President likely broke the law. Not exactly neutral, are they? Did any sites say what Obama did? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/3 "2017-07-06T14:40:28Z")
“Fallen president”? ---
**Author:** ![Crybaby\_Boobie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crybaby_boobie/32/545_2.png) [@Crybaby\_Boobie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crybaby_Boobie)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/4 "2017-07-06T14:42:09Z")
Yeah, you know, he was too weak to take over the country in a coup and stick around for a third term. Sad! ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/5 "2017-07-06T14:44:44Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > “Fallen president”? Yes, taken down by 22nd amendment people. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/6 "2017-07-06T15:15:11Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Gateway Pundit.](http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/07/draft-president-obama-may-be-breaking-the-logan-act-by-conniving-with-foreign-governments-behind-president-trumps-back/) > > Not exactly neutral, are they? > > Did any sites say what Obama did? Well, if you believe the hype, Obama somehow brokered a deal with South Korea. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/7 "2017-07-06T15:17:06Z")
I really wish people wouldn’t cite Gateway Pundit in honest debate. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/8 "2017-07-06T15:17:38Z")
The Logan act was brought up over the Flynn affair so I have a hard time believing people writing commentary on this aren’t aware that no one has been charged under the Logan Act in over 200 years. Somehow I doubt they’re going to want make Obama the test case even if he is a discredited, disgraced and fallen President. ---
**Author:** ![Crybaby\_Boobie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crybaby_boobie/32/545_2.png) [@Crybaby\_Boobie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crybaby_Boobie)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/9 "2017-07-06T15:28:03Z")
I’m willing to sacrifice Obama to the Logan act if it means they start charging all the trump folks too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/10 "2017-07-06T15:33:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Gateway Pundit.](http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/07/draft-president-obama-may-be-breaking-the-logan-act-by-conniving-with-foreign-governments-behind-president-trumps-back/) > > > [@](#): > > > > Disgraced President Obama ended his Presidency with the worst economic results since the early 1900’s and the Middle East on fire but this has not stopped him from meddling in foreign affairs with foreign governments around the world. For example, last week President Trump met with the leader of South Korea and this week fallen President Obama arranged a meeting with the Korean leader. If the President discussed any topics related to US policy which do not agree with President Trump’s policies, the discredited former President likely broke the law. > > Not exactly neutral, are they? > > Did any sites say what Obama did? I think the government of South Korea is aware that Obama has no official position in the government, and that in fact Trump seems intent on reversing any decision made by Obama while he was in office. In short, they know that Obama isn’t able to negotiate on behalf of the US government. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/11 "2017-07-06T15:54:13Z")
Trump has got Obama on the run ! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/12 "2017-07-06T16:56:16Z")
Given Trump’s pattern, I take any accusation he makes that Obama violated the Logan Act as evidence that Trump himself violated the Logan Act. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/13 "2017-07-06T17:16:48Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > According to my Facebook feed, he did (and Trump has a nasty surprise for him when he gets back :rolleyes:). > > I tried to Google: “Obama Logan Act” but all I’m getting is a bunch of Right Wing sites. > Does anyone know if their is any merit to this story? > > Thanks. Facebook glurge that can only be found on right-wing sites? I think your question pretty much answers itself. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/14 "2017-07-06T17:17:49Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Well, if you believe the hype, Obama somehow brokered a deal with South Korea. Do you believe the hype? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/15 "2017-07-06T17:22:52Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Do you believe the hype? Uh, no. Have you not seen me around on these boards before? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/16 "2017-07-06T17:28:30Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Given Trump’s pattern, I take any accusation he makes that Obama violated the Logan Act as evidence that Trump himself violated the Logan Act. Clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/17 "2017-07-06T18:08:19Z")
Anybody remember [Bill Clinton’s 2009 trip to North Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_imprisonment_of_American_journalists_by_North_Korea#Bill_Clinton.27s_visit_to_Pyongyang)? I don’t recall anyone screaming about Logan Act violations at the time. Surely the right wing conspiracy theorists would have been pushing that except no one cared. And that was a trip to an ostensibly hostile power. Somehow I think a former president visiting and even openly meeting with a close US ally is a long way from making the case for a Logan Act violation. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/18 "2017-07-06T18:28:35Z")
There’s a reason Jim Hoft’s (the Gateway Pundit) nickname is the Stupidest Man On The Internet… ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/19 "2017-07-06T18:34:05Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > Anybody remember [Bill Clinton’s 2009 trip to North Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_imprisonment_of_American_journalists_by_North_Korea#Bill_Clinton.27s_visit_to_Pyongyang)? I don’t recall anyone screaming about Logan Act violations at the time. Surely the right wing conspiracy theorists would have been pushing that except no one cared. And that was a trip to an ostensibly hostile power. > > Somehow I think a former president visiting and even openly meeting with a close US ally is a long way from making the case for a Logan Act violation. Yeah - but that’s a Clinton - they can get away with anything. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602/20 "2017-07-06T18:44:00Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Yeah - but that’s a Clinton - they can get away with anything. A Clinton “conspiring with” Obama. Should have been like red meat for the political right wing. It wasn’t. I chalk up the current rabble as a sort of generalized set of grievances of a “what if” variety. _What if_ Obama did X,Y, & Z then that would be a crime. OK, yes, true enough but… Nevermind that we don’t have any proof at all that he did X, Y, or Z. Same for any particularly outrageous accusations regardless of who the players are. Just save us all the headache and bring the proof or shut up already. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-violate-the-logan-act/790602.md?page=2)