Professor Larson Comments on Treason and Donald Trump for NBC

Professor Carlton Larson was interviewed by NBC News justice correspondent Pete Williams for NBC News online regarding claims that statements by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump could be prosecuted as treason.  Trump raised eyebrows when he seemed to encourage Russia or China to acquire and release email communications of his Democratic rival Hilary Clinton--remarks that Trump has said were not to be taken seriously.  Williams described Larson as "one of the nation's few experts on the law of treason."

Professor Larson said that even if a candidate did encourage a foreign power to hack into an opponent's email, that would not be grounds for treason, which is defined as levying war against the United States or "adhering to" an enemy.  Since the United States is not at war with Russia, it cannot be considered an enemy for purposes of treason law.

"Putting the interest of another country ahead of the United States, though a bad thing to do, is just not adhering to an enemy," said Larson. 

Professor Larson's views on Trump and treason were also reported by Vox.

Carlton Larson's research interests focus on constitutional law and legal history, with a strong emphasis on the 18th century.