I think he's in violation of it . . .
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10058
The Logan Act, which has been the subject of much recent debate, generally makes it illegal for U.S.
citizens to engage in unauthorized diplomacy with foreign countries with intent to “influence the
measures or conduct” of a foreign government or to “defeat the measures of the United States . . . .”
Prosecutors have only brought two Logan Act indictments since its enactment, neither of which led to
conviction. As stated by one commentator, the Act has been called a “dead letter,” an “anachronism,” a
“curious federalist antique,” “the most moribund of federal statutes,” and an “eighteenth century relic that
slumbers in splendid disregard.” Others have noted that the statute is not completely moribund—the State
Department has occasionally enforced the Logan Act’s prohibitions by way of passport suspensions and
travel restrictions, and there has been a successful court martial of a U.S. serviceman for conduct of the
kind barred by the statute. But regardless of the debate over the Logan Act’s precise history, its sparse use
in its intended criminal context is undisputed, which raises significant legal questions for Congress.
History - sounds like what Grenell did - only he's not even an elected official -
Background:
The Logan Act has its origins in a late-18th century foreign policy conflict with France
during the Federalist-dominated John Adams Administration. George Logan, a member of the opposition
Republican Party, traveled to France to meet with French ministers and to attempt to reduce the tensions
between the two countries. This trip met with a backlash back home, particularly among the Federalists
who controlled the government. Upon Dr. Logan’s return, Congress passed what would come to be
known as the Logan Act in an effort to criminalize any future “private diplomacy.”
Since the Logan Act’s enactment in 1799, there apparently have been only two prosecutions under the
statute, neither of which led to a conviction. In 1803, a grand jury indicted a Kentucky farmer named
Francis Flournoy for writing an article in the Frankfort Guardian of Freedom arguing for a separate
Western United States allied to France. The case went no further than the indictment. Then, in 1853, one
Jonas P. Levy was “arrested and held to bail” under the Logan Act for having written a letter to the
President of Mexico. This case, as well, was ultimately dropped. It appears that no indictment under the
Logan Act has been brought in the 165 years since
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