The Logan Act is a United States federal law enacted on January 30, 1799, that criminalizes unauthorized American citizens from negotiating or corresponding with foreign governments in disputes or controversies involving the U.S. government. Its purpose is to prevent private citizens from undermining the official government's position in foreign affairs. Specifically, it forbids any U.S. citizen, without government authorization, from carrying on any correspondence or negotiations with a foreign government regarding disputes with the United States or to defeat the measures of the U.S. government. Violations of the Act are a felony, punishable by fines and imprisonment for up to three years

. The law was passed after George Logan, a private citizen and Pennsylvania state legislator, engaged in unauthorized negotiations with France during a period of tension between the U.S. and France in 1798. Though his actions helped ease tensions temporarily, they were viewed as undermining the official U.S. government's authority, prompting Congress to enact the Logan Act to prevent similar incidents

. Despite its long history, the Logan Act has rarely been enforced; only two people have ever been indicted under it, and no one has been convicted

. In summary, the Logan Act prohibits unauthorized private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments on behalf of the United States to maintain the government's exclusive control over foreign policy and diplomatic negotiations.