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As far as bullets go, this one is distinctly candy-flavored. I think Ovechkin is a Putinist shithead and I think it would be just and proper for the Caps to drop him, but the strongest argument for not deporting him is that the US has freedom of speech, and that includes the freedom to speak up for loathsome things. If he's providing material support to the Russian government, that's another thing, but if he's just cheerleading for Putin, that's well within his rights.
Prior to the civil rights era new understanding of the first amendment and freedom of speech, when a foreigner was found agitating on behalf of another country (who wasn't a diplomat of some sort), deportation was the least extreme form of punishment.
This case would seem like exactly what the Logan Act was created to address.
That being said the one group that should probably be against any punishment would be the Jews. Lots of loyalty (and financial support) to Israel there. It’s not a problem now because Israel is an ally. But a Democrat POTUS may no longer label them an ally.
Isn't the Logan Act for the other way around, when an American citizen is negotiating on behalf of the United States?
At least in original intent, since it's named for an American man that negotiated with France to end a pseudo-war.
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The purpose of the Constitution is to secure the blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity.
Alex isn't included. Free Speech is not for him.
Free speech isn't just the ability to speak, it's also the ability to listen. If you give the government the ability to silence any speaker who isn't a citizen, you're giving the government the ability to control what you hear.
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He’s not a US citizen. He’s not being punished for speech. He’s being deported for political campaigning for an enemy state and his stated conduct that he identifies with our enemy.
Loyalty to a foreign enemy state is not the same thing as free speech. Yes you know about his loyalty because he said he’s loyal. This is the same thing as a conspiracy charge where the mob boss only made verbal orders and did not do the thing himself.
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