Explain how members of the Reagan administration acted illegally to sell arms to Iran and aid the Contras in Nicaragua. In a paragraph, evaluate their impact.
Members of the Reagan administration illegally sold arms to Iran in exchange for the release of American hostages, despite an embargo in place against Iran. The funds from these sales were then used to support the Contras, a rebel group fighting the Sandinista government in Nicaragua, despite Congress expressly prohibiting such assistance. This scandal, known as the Iran-Contra affair, exposed a web of illegal activities and covert operations within the administration. The impact of these actions was significant, as they undermined the rule of law and the separation of powers, damaged America's reputation internationally, and eroded public trust in the government. The Iran-Contra affair tarnished the legacy of the Reagan administration and led to several convictions and investigations.
