White House Sources: John Kerry’s Stealth Lobbying Backfired, Helped Kill The Iran Deal

The DC ^ | 5-8-2018 | Benny Johnson

[servo1969]

News of former Secretary of State John Kerry's alleged collusion with the Iranian government played a role in President Donald Trump's decision to scuttle the Iran deal, two White House sources with direct knowledge of the president's thinking tell The Daily Caller.

Trump announced he was pulling out of the deal Tuesday, just a few days after news broke that Kerry had been parlaying with Iran in an attempt to keep the deal alive.

A source inside the White House with knowledge of the decision process tells TheDC that the Iran deal was "done" when Trump found out about Kerry's lobbying behind the scenes. "Trump was headed that way but Kerry just took away any of the teeth of the detractors," the source said on background. "[Kerry's] bulls**t ultimately killed the deal."

Another source inside the West Wing confirms to TheDC that there was a frantic last-minute lobbying effort to keep the deal in place and that the timing of the Kerry news was "ironic." The source specifically blames Kerry's meddling in the process as a key decision point in the calculus for pulling out of the deal.

"It was by no means the reason [Trump] decided to pull out, but it certainly influenced the final decision," the source continued. "I mean, read the tweets."

President Trump attacked Kerry's actions on Twitter Monday, saying, "The United States does not need John Kerry's possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!"

Trump followed up, saying, "John Kerry can't get over the fact that he had his chance and blew it! Stay away from negotiations John, you are hurting your country!"

Both sources confirm that Kerry's actions hurt the lobbying effort by some in the West Wing to keep the deal in place.

The decision marks another crippling blow to Barack Obama's legacy by the Trump administration. The Iran deal was the cornerstone of Obama's foreign policy.

It was revealed late last week that Team Obama was working furiously to keep their legacy accomplishment afloat. Kerry was revealed to be actively working with his Iranian counterparts to salvage the Iran nuclear deal and undermine the current administration in a report published by The Boston Globe Friday.

According to The Globe, Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif multiple times over the last few months. He also reportedly met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French President Emmanuel Macron and multiple members of Congress.

A Kerry spokesperson told Fox News, "Secretary Kerry stays in touch with his former counterparts around the world," and that he was working to make sure the tenants of the Iran deal "remain effective."

The report comes as the Trump administration is under intense scrutiny for allegations that the president's campaign colluded with Russia to swing the 2016 election. No evidence has yet been presented to support that claim.

Some legal scholars say Kerry's actions were a clear violation of the Logan Act.

The Logan Act states:

"Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both."

The Boston Herald has called for a full investigation into Kerry's actions.

Kerry defended his stance by posting a statement on Twitter Tuesday. He complained that Trump's decision "weakens our security" and "isolates us from our European allies and puts Israel at greater risk."

[oldvirginian]

“John Kerry fought(?) in Viet Nam.”

More like John Kerry had a cup of coffee in Vietnam.

[granada]

No formal diplomatic relations between Iran and America for 30 years.

[nikos1121]

Exactly. Very well put. Also, how can something be a “deal” if it is by executive action? I mean Obama was full of these “executive action” moves, because he couldn’t get anything passed. Even his own party was against it.

[Netz]

Why can’t Herman Munster just stay home at 1313 Mockingbird Lane?

[COBOL2Java]

Who sent Kerry to do this? This seems seditious.

The Lizard Woman?

[PapaBear3625]

The Logan Act might infringe on the First Amendment rights of Americans, depending on what activities it’s enforced against.

I would like to see Kerry prosecuted under the Logan Act. Either it’s constitutional or it’s not, and this case would settle that.

[Netz]

How did his assistant, Ms. Wendy Sherman rise from being a Social Worker to a “seasoned” State Dept. diplomat who failed in her negotiations with North Korea only to repeat that failure with Iran?

Why is she not cited?

[DungeonMaster]

I wonder why we haven’t heard any “Obama is furious over his legacy being disassembled” stories.

[PlateOfShrimp]

I agree with you, but coming out with this is a great way to troll Kerry.

[gasport]

My finger’s where it ain’t supposed to be.

[OKSooner]

One would think that context is everything, in this situation. :)

[mac_truck]

Arrest Kerry now. He does not represent America. He should not be out there speaking to America’s enemies as though he does.

John Kerry's daughter is married to an Iranian doctor from a well connected family and the Foreign of Iran is apparently family friend...go figure.

[OKSooner]

Really? Gee, thanks for reminding us. :)

[The_Media_never_lie]

How did his assistant, Ms. Wendy Sherman rise from being a Social Worker to a “seasoned” State Dept. diplomat who failed in her negotiations with North Korea only to repeat that failure with Iran?

Why is she not cited?

---

Wow, I did not know about that!

[John O]

Just to keep it fresh in our minds...

The Logan Act states:

"Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both."

So it is true that any citizen can go over seas and talk to whomever they want and say whatever they want UNLESS that trip was working against the interests of the United States. The interests of the United States are expressed ONLY by the duly elected government of these United States.

kerry is NOT part of the government. Therefore he cannot state the interests of the United States.

What he did is treasonous (working with a foreign government against the United States government).

[Avalon Memories]

Nope. Kerry was NEGOTIATING purportedly on behalf of the US. Therein lies the difference. But again, it’s never been tested in court so people get away with it.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

New nickname...Intercourse Kerry!

[Moonman62]

Wow, and look who got the letter, Pompeo:

The Obama administration has disclosed to Congress that this summer’s controversial nuclear arms agreement with Iran was never signed and is not legally binding, according to a new report this week.

The State Department made the disclosures in a letter to Kansas congressman Mike Pompeo, a Republican, who had written the department to inquire why the agreement as submitted to Congress in July did not bear the signature of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

‘The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is not a treaty or an executive agreement, and is not a signed document,’ Julia Frifield, an assistant secretary for legislative affairs wrote Pompeo last Thursday.

[Netz]

Look her up. Ms. Sherman handled the FAILED negotiations during the Clinton Presidency with MAD Albright, they failed to PREVENT the NORKS from becoming a rogue Nuclear state.

Fast forward to 2015. This time, Kerry appoints Ms. Sherman AGAIN(?) to handle the negotiations with the Iranians and, sadly and predictably, she failed in that one too!

One must wonder what her next assignment will be under s DEMONcratic President...

[freedomlover]

I doubt this really had an effect on Trump.
I think this is just Trump trolling Kerry.
I approve.