In a 3 sentences, explain how Reagan was able to avoid direct blame for the Iran-Contra affair?

1 answer

Ronald Reagan managed to avoid direct blame for the Iran-Contra affair by positioning himself as a largely uninformed and distant figure regarding the details of the operations, presenting the actions as necessary for national security. He emphasized his commitment to combating communism and framed the affair as an effort to support anti-communist forces in Nicaragua, thus redirecting attention to foreign policy success rather than scandal. Additionally, Reagan's administration cultivated a narrative that focused on the involvement of lower-level officials, allowing him to distance himself from the controversial decisions made without his explicit knowledge or approval.