Why was the Iran-Contra Affair considered a scandal?(2 points) Responses The selling of arms to Iran to finance the Contras was Reagan’s idea. The selling of arms to Iran to finance the Contras was Reagan’s idea. It violated a congressional ban on financial aid to the Contras. It violated a congressional ban on financial aid to the Contras. The Contras used the financial aid from the U.S. to stir a revolution in Iran. The Contras used the financial aid from the U.S. to stir a revolution in Iran. The public was in favor of helping the Sandinistas, not the Contras.

Answer 1

The Iran-Contra Affair was considered a scandal for two main reasons:

1. Violation of Congressional Ban: The Reagan administration's actions of selling arms to Iran to finance the Contras violated the Boland Amendment, which prohibited further U.S. military aid to the Contras in Nicaragua. This breach of legal authority raised significant concerns about the rule of law and congressional oversight of foreign policy.

2. Secrecy and Deception: The operation was conducted in secret and involved deception, which undermined public trust in the government. The administration's attempts to circumvent Congress and its lack of transparency contributed to the perception of misconduct and raised ethical questions about the use of government resources and the executive branch's overreach of power.

The other statements regarding the Contras using aid to stir a revolution in Iran and public support for the Sandinistas do not accurately reflect the core issues surrounding the Iran-Contra scandal.