A New York City socialist seeking to replace a retiring Democrat drew criticism Thursday after pledging to carry the "fight" inspired by Mexico’s struggle for independence into Congress, with critics pointing to her disclosure that she met with members of Mexico’s ruling left-wing party.Claire Valdez, who is seeking Rep.Nydia Velazquez's seat in a district that includes Bushwick and Ridgewood, is facing calls for the State Department to investigate her under the Logan Act, a rarely enforced 1799 law that criminalizes certain unauthorized efforts by private citizens to influence foreign governments in disputes involving the U.S.
Democrats have also invoked the law in connection with President Donald Trump.In response to her post, immigration attorney and columnist Alicia Nieves tweeted at Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, a former ambassador to Mexico, calling for an investigation of Valdez after the candidate disclosed that she had met with members of Morena, Mexico’s ruling left-wing party."Given that she is currently a congressional nominee, not a member of Congress, and appears to have discussed facilitating support contrary to current U.S.policy as well as describing our country an ‘empire’ that has ‘stolen from us’… I hope the administration will review whether these communications warrant investigation under the Logan Act."COLORADO'S SOCIALIST CANDIDATE CALLS FOR 'MORE IMMIGRANTS INTO OFFICE' TO STOP AMERICA'S 'EXPLOITATIVE' NATUREClaire Valdez protests against ICE.
(Michael Santiago/Getty Images)The act, enacted in 1799, came after the John Adams administration and congressional Federalists objected to Pennsylvania politician George Logan’s unauthorized trip to France, where he sought to ease tensions during what was called the "Quasi-War." Federalists feared private diplomacy could undermine the U.S.government’s foreign policy.Adams and his Federalist allies also viewed Logan’s actions through the partisan tensions surrou...