Republicans have long history of hiring terrorists
The Iran-Contra scandal (1985–1987) was a major political scandal during the Reagan administration involving the secret sale of U.S. arms to Iran—an adversary—to secure the release of U.S. hostages in Lebanon. Profits from these sales were illegally diverted to fund the Contra rebels fighting the socialist Sandinista government in Nicaragua, violating the Boland Amendment, which prohibited such funding.
Key Events and Roles
The Iran-Contra scandal (1985–1987) was a major political scandal during the Reagan administration involving the secret sale of U.S. arms to Iran—an adversary—to secure the release of U.S. hostages in Lebanon. Profits from these sales were illegally diverted to fund the Contra rebels fighting the socialist Sandinista government in Nicaragua, violating the Boland Amendment, which prohibited such funding.
Key Events and Roles
- The Scheme: National Security Council (NSC) staff, notably Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, orchestrated the covert arms-for-hostages deals and money transfers.
- The Exposure: The operation was exposed in November 1986 after a cargo plane supplying the Contras was shot down over Nicaragua.
- Administration Involvement: While President Ronald Reagan approved the arms sales, investigations into his direct knowledge of the money diversion were inconclusive, though the final report noted a "disdain for the law" and placed "ultimate responsibility" on him.
- Consequences: The scandal resulted in convictions for 11 administration officials, including North and National Security Advisor John Poindexter, though most were later overturned on technicalities.
- 1984–1985: Congress passes the Boland Amendment, banning aid to Contras; Reagan administration seeks ways to bypass this.
- 1985–1986: Secret arms-for-hostages sales to Iran occur.
- Nov 1986: Eugene Hasenfus is captured; scandal breaks.
- 1987: Joint Congressional committees investigate; North testifies.
