Donald Trump has been accused of violating federal law by allegedly calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the ceasefire deal the U.S. is helping negotiate between Israel and Hamas.
The former president allegedly made the call on August 14, according to Axios, which cited two unnamed “U.S. sources who were briefed on the call.”
The next day, however, Netanyahu’s office denied that the call took place. In a statement quoted by The Times of Israel, a spokesperson said: “Contrary to media reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not speak yesterday with former President Donald Trump.”
It is unclear if a call between Trump and Netanyahu took place and Newsweek has contacted representatives of the former president for comment.
If Trump did make the call, he would potentially be breaking the law as the Logan Act, enacted in 1799, prohibits unauthorized private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments on behalf of the U.S.
American Muckrakers, an organization that states it seeks to hold politicians and officials accountable, has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of State.
Axios cited one source as saying that Trump’s alleged call was intended to encourage Netanyahu to take the ceasefire deal that was on the table. However, the unnamed source told the outlet that they did not know what the actual conversation was.
Multiple people have criticized Trump on social media following reports of the phone call. Political commentator and Democratic National Committee member David Atkins said the allegation would be a “massive crime” if true.
Similarly, actor Steven Pasquale said it was “pretty balls to the wall treason.” The Lincoln Project, a conservative group dedicated to “stop Trump, break MAGA and save America,” wrote: “There’s absolutely no line he won’t cross.”
Netanyahu met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in late July, when the Israeli Prime Minister was in the U.S. to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
