So I will expose my naivete and ignorance

[TNNurse]

and will not be bothered by any of your criticism but welcome your knowledge.

How in the HELL is it even a thing that an American citizen can register as "AN AGENT OF A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT"????

[Hugin]

1. Retroactively...

That's the part which kills me.

In my ugly little world any AOAFG would have to wear a bright yellow tee shirt and a (heh) red baseball cap with AOAFG emblazoned on them for six months prior to when they actually started their agenting.

[blueinredohio]

2. Then I am ignorant too TNNurse because I don't get it either.

Especially holding a government office.

[Siwsan]

3. I'm right there with you.

It boggles the mind.

[Ohiogal]

4. On this issue

I confess that I, too, am naive and ignorant!

[Donkees]

5. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)

https://www.justice.gov/nsd-fara

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was enacted in 1938. FARA is a disclosure statute that requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals in a political or quasi-political capacity to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities. Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the statements and activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. The FARA Registration Unit of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) in the National Security Division (NSD) is responsible for the administrative enforcement of the Act.

[el_bryanto]

6. I guess it depends on the definition of the word agent

I personally tend to think that has very negative implications - but I gather it doesn't have to be. Certainly if I in the government and trying to get people in India to have a higher opinion of the United States, I might hire an Indian firm to run a PR campaign. Makes sense, they know the terrain they know how to reach people and all. But those people i hire would be agents of a foreign government (in this case they would citizens of India acting as agents of the United States).

Bryant

[WeekiWater]

7. Because it would be really shady if they didn't have to.

It's an extremely important law. If this law was not in place then we would really be in the dark, unless there was a law in place making it illegal, something none of us would want. The list of reasons one might register are long and most often not negative. It's intent today is much different than its original intent, which was to squash foreign propaganda.

For fun, it is my understanding that any US citizen working for RT must register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Specific lobbyists must register under the act. That is a good thing and they should have every right to lobby, IMO. We would lose transparency in this area without the Act. Most foreign lobbyists simply register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act but there are a lot of them working directly for foreign governments or corporations that work with foreign governments very closely.

Wikipedia Foreign Agents Registration Act

[TNNurse]

8. I guess I just think a citizen should not be allowed to work for the benefit

of another country. I get that there needs to be a law if it is allowed.

[brooklynite]

10. So, you're saying I couldn't work for the Italian Tourist Office in NYC?

[WeekiWater]

14. Exactly

Here are the Italian Tourist Office in NYC filings under the Act.

https://efile.fara.gov/pls/apex/f?p=185:200:11601467203176::NO:RP,200 200_REG_NUMBER:568

[WeekiWater]

12. I personally think American Citizens should be allowed to work for RT.

I think foreign corporations working for or at an arms length of their government should be able to hire US law firms in order to do business in the US.

I think China should be able to contract with American Citizens to work on their behalf. Our citizens know the processes and people much better. It provides for a better and more efficient flow of information.

Numerous Japanese companies have US agents that must register as they hire US citizens to do their bidding. Their products have been on our shelves for decades. This does not apply to all business entities from Japan.

A lot of this is very legitimate business and would be done regardless of the act, unless made outright illegal. There is simply no reason to make it illegal and we already have laws on the books making certain actions of US citizens working for foreign countries illegal.

To be clear, not all US citizens being paid by foreign companies have to register under the act. Many do dependent on if they are a government run or quasi government run outfit. There is some nuance but that covers much of it.

Just giving some legitimate examples. This is putting it into a very limited scope.

[brooklynite]

9. Why shouldn't it be legal?

Governments have issues with each other. Why shouldn't someone, who's NOT PART OF THE US GOVERNMENT be paid to lobby on their behalf as long as the lobbying is publicly acknowledged?

[ProudLib72]

11. I don't see it as a big deal under normal circumstances

For instance, suppose I was of German descent and wanted to work for Germany. Suppose I wanted to lobby for German interests as an American citizen. That's not such a big deal.

However, National Security Advisors should not be working for any country other than ours. And here's the thing: Turkey tapped Flynn because they knew he had power and influence. Flynn knew he could accomplish a lot for Turkey for a lot of money if he didn't register. I'm on Judge Sullivan's side here; Flynn needs to do time.

[WeekiWater]

13. This might provide some extra context.

Transparency.

https://efile.fara.gov/pls/apex/f?p=185:1:::: 1_DISPLAY

Many might be interested in that link.

You can see who is registered as a Foreign Agent along with their filed paperwork.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

15. Because Agent Doesn't Mean "Spy"

It just means someone who here to do something on behalf of another country's government. It could be an ambassador, or a person who's here to negotiate a treaty or a trade deal, etc. It's not always someone who's here for some nefarious purpose. Just someone doing the business of another government.

[EffieBlack]

16. "Agent" is a legal term

In this context, it's not necessarily nefarious - it just means that they are representing someone's interests. It happens all the time.

For example, if a British company wants to buy property, they need to hire a local realtor and attorney. Those professionals would need to register. If you wanted to buy a house in Australia and hired an Australian lawyer and realtor, those people would, by definition, be agents of a foreign entity.

Being an agent of a foreign entity is not, inherently bad or suspicious. The registration is intended to ensure transparency so that our government and anyone else interested knows that the person is representing a foreign government's interest. The problem is that Flynn tried to hide his representation and led the government and the public to believe he was acting as an individual.

[KG]

17. They've given you a number and taken away your name.