The Iran–Contra affair

The administration lied about illegal acts in Iran and Nicaragua, knowingly defying the will of Congress, breaking laws and pretending innocence - all in the name of national security.
The Iran–Contra affair was a political scandal in the United States which came to light in November 1986, during the Reagan administration, in which senior U.S. figures, including President Ronald Reagan, agreed to facilitate the sale of arms to Iran, the subject of an arms embargo.^[1] At least some U.S. officials also hoped that the arms sales would secure the release of hostages and allow U.S. intelligence agencies to fund Nicaraguan contras.

Iran Contra Scandal
– Early 1986, news leaks that the Reagan administration has negotiated an arms-for-hostages deal with revolutionary Islamic government of Iran
– The Reagan administration sells arms to Iran the “out-law state” for Iran's assistance to free some American hostages held by Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian Shiite group in Lebanon.
– The profit made from selling the arms to Iran are used to support an illegal war in Nicaragua.
– Reagan orders the CIA to aid an armed Nicaraguan opposition group called the Contras.
– 1984, Congress bans the CIA from providing any military support to the Contras.
– Oliver North a U.S. Marine and aid to the National Security Council refuses to obey Congress's orders. He continues to take profits from the Iranian arms deal to assist Contras.
– When Reagan was questioned whether he knew of North's illegal actions, Reagan replies, “I don't remember.” Still won over by his charm, the public accepted this timely memory loss.