@w2pow2 – Reagan sold weapons to Iran then used the money to support the Contras in Nicaragua: a policy which was banned by Congress in the form of the Boland amendment which barred “direct or indirect” U.S. aid to the Contras.
Specifically, the Boland Amendment originally forbade any expenditures “for the purpose of overthrowing the government of Nicaragua.” Then it placed a $24 million limit on aid to “military or paramilitary operations in Nicaragua.” The most restrictive version, in effect from October 1984 to December 1985, stated that “no funds available” to the CIA, the Defense Department or any “entity of the U.S. involved in intelligence activities” could be used “directly or indirectly” to support the Contras.
Reagan knew about the Boland Amendment because he signed it into law.
One can also argue that by ignoring the Boland Amendment, the individual overt acts were committed in pursuit of a larger scheme to evade the will of Congress. Engaging in such a conspiracy would be a felony punishable by five years in prison.
In addition, in a March 1985 memo to Robert McFarlane, then National Security Adviser, Oliver North described proposed deliveries of $8 million worth of weapons and ammunition to a Central American country, known to be Guatemala. He enclosed “end-user certificates” attesting that the weapons would be used in that country. Actually, the memo made clear, “all shipments will be . . . turned over to” the contras. This plan seems to violate the Arms Export Control Act.
Article I of the Constitution obliges the President to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” At the very least, that would seem to have required Reagan to launch a careful study of what was forbidden by Congress under the Boland amendment and to insist that his aides abide by the results.