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♪ dark synth music ♪
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♪♪♪
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[crowd cheering]
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[man] We are a nation
of laws, not of men.
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That's really important
to our future
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and to our independence
and liberty.
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[Byrne] Our whole country,
our whole history
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is about creating
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a system of accountability.
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The goal is to prevent
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the rise of an autocracy
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or a dictatorship.
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That's what we're all about.
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[Coulson]
It's very important that
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the FBI be a part
of that system,
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and that they collect
information unbiased.
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They do it no matter
where it leads.
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[sirens blare,
shutter clicking]
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Chris?
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Mr. President,
you have stated flatly
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that you did not trade weapons
for hostages.
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[man] Just because
you're the president
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doesn't mean
you can violate the law.
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[Byrne] There are a lot
of lessons from Iran-Contra.
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It is possible
to get away with wrongdoing,
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and it's possible
to spin it beyond recognition.
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It's possible to throw enough
mud on the wall that
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nobody knows
what to believe anymore.
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♪♪♪
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♪ dramatic eerie music ♪
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♪♪♪
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[Reagan] I, Ronald Reagan...
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William Jefferson Clinton...
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Do solemnly swear...
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Do solemnly swear...
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♪♪♪
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[Nixon] ...and will,
to the best of my ability...
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[George W. Bush] ...preserve,
protect, and defend...
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[Trump] ...the Constitution
of the United States.
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♪♪♪
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♪ upbeat synth music ♪
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♪♪♪
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[man] Economic growth is here.
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It'll be here.
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[indistinct chatter]
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[woman] The Dow Jones
Industrial Average
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has climbed
more than 400 points.
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[bell dinging]
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[Reagan] My approval rating
stays at 53.
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It is the only time that in
the sixth year of a two-term
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presidency has a president
had that high a rating.
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♪♪♪
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Michael Jackson,
with appreciation
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for the outstanding
example you have set
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for the youth of America
and the world.
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♪♪♪
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So this is the dining room.
How many does it seat?
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Well, I guess it seats
as many as you want.
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It just--I really
couldn't even tell you.
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♪♪♪
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[man] Millions of Americans
celebrated Thanksgiving
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with the usual
traditional combination
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of turkey, football,
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and the 58th annual Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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[indistinct chatter]
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♪♪♪
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[turkey gobbles]
[laughter]
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[man] Mr. President,
what did you know about
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money going to the Contras?
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[man] Mr. President,
how much trouble are you in
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because of this
Contra revelation?
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[man 2] Did you know--did you
know about the Contras, sir?
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[emergency sirens blare]
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[woman] Mr. President,
some people might think
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you're stonewalling by
refusing to answer questions.
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It is taking shape
as one of the most
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controversial foreign
policy developments
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of President Reagan's
years in office.
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Investigations into
the secret double dealing
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of arms for Iran and
cash for the Contras.
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Word was put out that
President Reagan himself
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is among those
subjected to questions.
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I am deeply troubled that
the implementation of a policy
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aimed at resolving
a truly tragic situation
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in the Middle East has
resulted in such controversy.
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I'm going to ask Attorney
General Meese to brief you...
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[man] Do you still maintain
you didn't make a mistake,
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- Mr. President?
- Hold it.
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[man] Did you make a mistake
in sending arms to Tehran, sir?
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No, and I'm not taking
any more questions.
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[man] What about Secretary
Shultz, Mr. President?
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[overlapping chatter]
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That's what I'm gonna say,
what it's all about.
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Why don't I tell you what--
what is the situation
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and then I'll take
your questions?
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Over the weekend...
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There were two
controversial issues
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00:05:02,511 --> 00:05:06,969
when you put them together that
made it an even larger story
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because of the
potential crime involved.
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The question was whether
the FBI should be involved.
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And I had a meeting
with the FBI director.
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At that point,
it was turned over to the FBI.
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I was approached
by one of my bosses
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the day before Thanksgiving
in 1986.
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I was working at my desk and
he came up to me and he said,
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"What are you doing
this weekend?"
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And I said,
"I guess I'm working."
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[engine turns over]
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[Reagan]
Admiral John Poindexter
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has asked to be relieved
of his assignment
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as assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs.
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♪♪♪
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[Glasser]
The day after Thanksgiving,
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I interviewed
National Security Advisor,
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Admiral Poindexter.
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I was in the FBI for 24 years.
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I was one of
the first 40 women
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hired by the FBI.
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I brought into this interview
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an immense respect
for Admiral Poindexter.
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I mean, he was
a very accomplished man
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professionally.
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[Foster] John Poindexter
was an admiral in the Navy.
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He had that military bearing--
very professional, very bright.
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Every time I've seen him,
he had a pipe.
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[Poindexter] The NSC staff
has got to be the catalyst
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that keeps the president's
decisions moving along.
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Their only loyalty
is to the president.
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[Glasser] Typically,
I take copious notes.
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I made a specific decision
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going to his house that day
that I was not gonna
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take my notepad in with me.
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I wanted him to feel like
we were having a conversation.
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♪ dark synth music ♪
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We sat down
in his living room
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at his home in
Rockville, Maryland.
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♪ foreboding musical tone ♪
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It was sort of
an awesome power dynamic
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between me as this young,
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female FBI agent
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with the person that
I'm talking to being,
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you know, really educated,
high-level government official.
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We were just reduced to two
people having a conversation
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where I had more power
than that person had.
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♪♪♪
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My interview to him was really
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not about subject matter,
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but was about what had he done
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with respect to covering up
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this covert operation
to support the Contras.
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[indistinct chatter]
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I think he felt
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that he needed
to sit down with me.
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People who are guilty will
often talk to the investigator
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because they don't want you
to think they're guilty.
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This was a really big case.
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I mean, Admiral Poindexter
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was the conduit
to the president.
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[crowd cheering]
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For those
who've abandoned hope,
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00:08:05,011 --> 00:08:07,011
we'll restore hope
and we'll welcome them into
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00:08:07,094 --> 00:08:11,011
a great national crusade
to make America great again.
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[cheers and applause]
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[horns honking]
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[Byrne] Ronald Reagan
was beloved by many
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and ridiculed by many.
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His critics believed
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he had no real grasp
of the facts,
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no interest in detail.
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[Reagan]
Soviet combat brigade...
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[Byrne] But when it came to
issues that mattered to him,
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he had deep-seated convictions
about those issues,
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right or wrong.
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♪♪♪
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[Weiner] In 1947,
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a Hollywood actor
named Ronald Reagan
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is an informant for the FBI.
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Reagan is head of
the Screen Actors Guild.
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Hoover is launching
his attack on Hollywood
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as a hotbed of communism,
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and here's
a well-placed informant
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to keep him up to date.
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[Byrne] There were those
like Reagan who thought that,
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you know, this is one
of darkest periods that
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we've experienced,
and if we don't act now,
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we're all going
to be in trouble.
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We're all gonna
be speaking Russian.
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♪ dramatic music ♪
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[Weiner]
When he came to office,
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he knew it was
the most dangerous time
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since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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This danger will not go away.
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It will grow worse,
much worse,
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if we fail to take action now.
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I'm speaking of Nicaragua,
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a Soviet ally
on the American mainland
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only two hours flying time
from our own borders.
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00:09:44,969 --> 00:09:48,511
Certain monies
were made available
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to the forces
in Central America,
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00:09:52,511 --> 00:09:56,802
which are opposing the
Sandinista government there.
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00:09:56,886 --> 00:09:59,011
There appeared to be
more facts out there.
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00:09:59,094 --> 00:10:00,470
One agency was doing one thing.
203
00:10:00,553 --> 00:10:02,344
Another agency was doing
another thing.
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00:10:02,428 --> 00:10:04,261
Certain monies,
a certain amount of monies
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00:10:04,344 --> 00:10:07,052
was then deposited to
the forces in Central America.
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00:10:08,761 --> 00:10:11,011
[bird caws]
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00:10:13,303 --> 00:10:15,428
[engine turns over]
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00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:19,844
[Reagan] The national security
of all the Americas
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00:10:19,927 --> 00:10:22,428
is at stake
in Central America.
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00:10:22,511 --> 00:10:24,595
If we cannot
defend ourselves there,
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we cannot expect
to prevail elsewhere.
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♪ gritty music ♪
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[Weiner] It was one
of the highest goals
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00:10:32,178 --> 00:10:33,802
of the Reagan administration
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00:10:33,886 --> 00:10:37,553
to combat communism
in Central America
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00:10:37,636 --> 00:10:40,678
through a ragtag
bunch of guerrillas
217
00:10:40,761 --> 00:10:42,303
who are known as the Contras.
218
00:10:42,386 --> 00:10:45,344
They were against communism.
219
00:10:45,428 --> 00:10:47,511
[Reagan]
You know the truth about them.
220
00:10:47,595 --> 00:10:50,136
You know who
they're fighting and why.
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00:10:50,219 --> 00:10:52,511
They are the moral equal
of our founding fathers.
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00:10:52,595 --> 00:10:54,511
We cannot turn away from them.
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[cheers and applause]
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[Weiner] It was essential
for the Contras
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00:11:00,094 --> 00:11:02,761
to be painted
as freedom fighters.
226
00:11:02,844 --> 00:11:05,553
Whose freedom they were
fighting for was unclear,
227
00:11:05,636 --> 00:11:08,511
but they were
fighting nonetheless.
228
00:11:08,595 --> 00:11:10,553
[Meese] Certain members
of Congress were opposed
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00:11:10,636 --> 00:11:12,511
to support of
the freedom fighters,
230
00:11:12,595 --> 00:11:15,553
particularly in the light
of the recent Vietnam war.
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00:11:15,636 --> 00:11:19,344
We simply must not
appropriate one more penny
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00:11:19,428 --> 00:11:22,802
to wage a war that has
caused our allies to wonder
233
00:11:22,886 --> 00:11:24,927
at our sense of proportion,
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00:11:25,011 --> 00:11:28,678
that has turned Central America
into an armed camp.
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00:11:28,761 --> 00:11:30,927
[Byrne] Edward Boland
had attached his name
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00:11:31,011 --> 00:11:35,553
to an amendment for banning
American aid to the Contras.
237
00:11:35,636 --> 00:11:37,595
It was called
the Boland Amendment.
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00:11:37,678 --> 00:11:39,386
In simple terms,
the Boland amendment
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00:11:39,470 --> 00:11:42,136
was a congressional action
that says you cannot provide
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00:11:42,219 --> 00:11:44,178
military support
to the Contras.
241
00:11:44,261 --> 00:11:46,470
If you did provide
weapons to them,
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00:11:46,553 --> 00:11:48,428
it's a violation
of an act of Congress.
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00:11:48,511 --> 00:11:51,011
♪♪♪
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00:11:51,094 --> 00:11:53,344
[Weiner] The reaction of
the Reagan administration
245
00:11:53,428 --> 00:11:56,219
to Congress' ban
on aid to the Contras--
246
00:11:56,303 --> 00:12:00,052
"Screw the Congress.
We're the White House.
247
00:12:00,136 --> 00:12:02,094
We do whatever we want."
248
00:12:02,178 --> 00:12:04,386
And no one believed this
more fervently
249
00:12:04,470 --> 00:12:06,636
than Lieutenant Colonel North.
250
00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:10,303
This lieutenant colonel is not
gonna challenge a decision
251
00:12:10,386 --> 00:12:13,344
of the commander in chief
for whom I still work,
252
00:12:13,428 --> 00:12:16,595
and I am proud to work
for that commander in chief.
253
00:12:16,678 --> 00:12:19,052
And if the commander in chief
tells this lieutenant colonel
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00:12:19,136 --> 00:12:21,344
to go stand in the corner
and sit on his head,
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00:12:21,428 --> 00:12:25,052
I will do so.
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00:12:25,136 --> 00:12:27,595
[Byrne] Oliver North was
a Marine Lieutenant Colonel
257
00:12:27,678 --> 00:12:29,219
who had been assigned
258
00:12:29,303 --> 00:12:32,178
to the National Security
Council staff--
259
00:12:32,261 --> 00:12:35,428
a Vietnam veteran,
a decorated soldier.
260
00:12:35,511 --> 00:12:38,511
On the release point,
the assault element deploys
261
00:12:38,595 --> 00:12:41,052
to fit in their positions.
262
00:12:41,136 --> 00:12:43,344
[Coulson]
I think he's a patriot.
263
00:12:43,428 --> 00:12:45,720
Very, very
dedicated to country,
264
00:12:45,802 --> 00:12:49,386
a decorated Marine,
kind of, um,
265
00:12:49,470 --> 00:12:51,219
off-the-books kind of a guy.
266
00:12:51,303 --> 00:12:53,344
These operations were designed
267
00:12:53,428 --> 00:12:56,595
to be secrets from
the American people.
268
00:12:56,678 --> 00:12:58,470
Mr. Nields,
I am at a loss as to how
269
00:12:58,553 --> 00:13:00,678
we could announce it
to the American people
270
00:13:00,761 --> 00:13:03,094
and not have the
Soviets know about it.
271
00:13:03,178 --> 00:13:06,094
[Byrne] North acted like
he had nothing but impatience
272
00:13:06,178 --> 00:13:08,678
and contempt for
rules and regulations.
273
00:13:08,761 --> 00:13:10,927
He took it upon himself
274
00:13:11,011 --> 00:13:13,886
to fulfill the mission
Reagan had given him.
275
00:13:13,969 --> 00:13:17,052
How he went about that was
what got him into trouble.
276
00:13:17,136 --> 00:13:19,844
- Where are these memoranda?
- Which memoranda?
277
00:13:19,927 --> 00:13:22,595
[Nields] The memoranda
that you sent up
278
00:13:22,678 --> 00:13:25,886
to Admiral Poindexter seeking
the president's approval?
279
00:13:25,969 --> 00:13:28,094
[North] But I think
I shredded most of that.
280
00:13:30,969 --> 00:13:33,636
Did I-did I get them all?
281
00:13:34,802 --> 00:13:36,802
♪ bass music ♪
282
00:13:36,886 --> 00:13:39,802
[man shouting
in native language]
283
00:13:39,886 --> 00:13:42,886
♪♪♪
284
00:13:42,969 --> 00:13:45,386
[Foster] These camps
where the Contras lived
285
00:13:45,470 --> 00:13:48,094
were very remote areas.
286
00:13:48,178 --> 00:13:51,470
You had to have an operation
that would deliver weapons,
287
00:13:51,553 --> 00:13:53,969
supplies, airplanes,
fuel for the airplanes,
288
00:13:54,052 --> 00:13:57,886
in this jungle outpost
in the middle of nowhere.
289
00:13:57,969 --> 00:14:00,636
They created back channels
within the Pentagon
290
00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:05,094
and the CIA
so that arms and supplies
291
00:14:05,178 --> 00:14:07,178
could be shipped
to the Contras
292
00:14:07,261 --> 00:14:10,636
using private companies
that were used
293
00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:12,678
to doing missions
for the American government.
294
00:14:12,761 --> 00:14:15,636
[man] Southern Air Transport,
the uncommon carrier.
295
00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:18,636
♪ funky music ♪
296
00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:23,844
♪♪♪
297
00:14:28,178 --> 00:14:30,428
[tires screech]
298
00:14:30,511 --> 00:14:32,511
♪ foreboding music ♪
299
00:14:32,595 --> 00:14:34,470
As a member of the NSC staff,
300
00:14:34,553 --> 00:14:36,886
I knew that I held
a position of responsibility,
301
00:14:36,969 --> 00:14:39,428
but I knew full well
what my position was.
302
00:14:39,511 --> 00:14:41,844
I was simply a staff member
303
00:14:41,927 --> 00:14:44,511
with a demonstrated ability
to get the job done.
304
00:14:44,595 --> 00:14:46,927
My authority to act
always flowed, I believe,
305
00:14:47,011 --> 00:14:49,178
from my superiors.
306
00:14:49,261 --> 00:14:51,969
My military training
inculcated me--in me--
307
00:14:52,052 --> 00:14:54,969
a strong belief in
the chain of command.
308
00:14:55,052 --> 00:14:58,428
I readily admit that
I was action-oriented,
309
00:14:58,511 --> 00:15:01,011
that I took pride in the fact
that I was counted upon
310
00:15:01,094 --> 00:15:03,052
as a man who
got the job done.
311
00:15:03,136 --> 00:15:07,511
♪♪♪
312
00:15:07,595 --> 00:15:09,553
[Major] When you're about
to make a decision,
313
00:15:09,636 --> 00:15:11,386
ask yourself the question:
314
00:15:11,470 --> 00:15:14,595
how will this look when
it is on the front page
315
00:15:14,678 --> 00:15:17,136
of The Washington Post?
316
00:15:17,219 --> 00:15:22,052
♪♪♪
317
00:15:29,678 --> 00:15:31,761
[man] The transport plane,
apparently loaded with
318
00:15:31,844 --> 00:15:35,470
combat gear, was shot down
Sunday in southern Nicaragua.
319
00:15:35,553 --> 00:15:37,470
Three Americans
were reported killed.
320
00:15:37,553 --> 00:15:38,927
One American survived.
321
00:15:39,011 --> 00:15:41,886
[Hasenfus]
My name is Eugene Hasenfus.
322
00:15:41,969 --> 00:15:44,595
I come from
Marinette, Wisconsin.
323
00:15:44,678 --> 00:15:48,428
The objectives of our
flight into Nicaragua
324
00:15:48,511 --> 00:15:51,470
were to resupply the FDN
325
00:15:51,553 --> 00:15:54,761
and the UNO teams
of the Contras.
326
00:15:54,844 --> 00:15:56,678
[man] People in
Washington right now
327
00:15:56,761 --> 00:15:59,386
are trying
to cover their tracks.
328
00:15:59,470 --> 00:16:02,844
The people involved were
not from our military,
329
00:16:02,927 --> 00:16:06,802
not from any
U.S. Government agency.
330
00:16:06,886 --> 00:16:09,094
[man] The Reagan
administration
331
00:16:09,178 --> 00:16:11,969
denies a connection with that
plane shot down in Nicaragua.
332
00:16:12,052 --> 00:16:14,052
[Sam Donaldson] Mr. President,
did you personally ask
333
00:16:14,136 --> 00:16:16,428
third countries to contribute
money to the Contras?
334
00:16:16,511 --> 00:16:19,261
Sam, I made
an opening statement,
335
00:16:19,344 --> 00:16:21,303
and I have said that I'm not
gonna answer any questions
336
00:16:21,386 --> 00:16:23,844
on those things
until this is over.
337
00:16:23,927 --> 00:16:26,802
If I were going to answer
any questions, I'd say no.
338
00:16:26,886 --> 00:16:28,886
- [laughter]
- [man] Right.
339
00:16:28,969 --> 00:16:30,636
Since you didn't answer
that question--
340
00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:35,761
♪♪♪
341
00:16:48,844 --> 00:16:50,511
[Foster]
Eugene Hasenfus,
342
00:16:50,595 --> 00:16:54,678
he was released
around Christmas day.
343
00:16:54,761 --> 00:16:59,094
I was the agent detailed
to go interview him.
344
00:16:59,178 --> 00:17:02,595
They sent me
to Marinette, Wisconsin
345
00:17:02,678 --> 00:17:05,052
in the middle of the winter,
346
00:17:05,136 --> 00:17:07,303
and Marinette is in
the middle of nowhere
347
00:17:07,386 --> 00:17:09,844
on the Michigan border
near Canada.
348
00:17:09,927 --> 00:17:11,678
[horn blares]
349
00:17:11,761 --> 00:17:15,886
Eugene Hasenfus had
a very modest attorney.
350
00:17:15,969 --> 00:17:19,011
We met in an insurance
agency building.
351
00:17:20,761 --> 00:17:22,553
And during that interview,
352
00:17:22,636 --> 00:17:25,678
he admitted and started
telling us about who else
353
00:17:25,761 --> 00:17:29,094
was involved and
how there were elements
354
00:17:29,178 --> 00:17:31,511
of the U.S. government involved
in that resupply effort
355
00:17:31,595 --> 00:17:34,678
after it was
prohibited by Congress.
356
00:17:36,886 --> 00:17:38,844
The interview
was so important
357
00:17:38,927 --> 00:17:42,678
that they wouldn't
let me spend the night.
358
00:17:42,761 --> 00:17:45,886
I remember sitting on
an airport in Green Bay.
359
00:17:45,969 --> 00:17:48,094
They deiced my plane
three times
360
00:17:48,178 --> 00:17:50,761
so I could fly into Chicago
and get a red-eye
361
00:17:50,844 --> 00:17:52,802
back to Washington
to tell everyone that
362
00:17:52,886 --> 00:17:56,386
this was broader
than first appears.
363
00:17:56,470 --> 00:17:59,802
♪♪♪
364
00:17:59,886 --> 00:18:02,261
I'm waiting to hear
as much as anyone else.
365
00:18:02,344 --> 00:18:05,136
Told you over and over again
everything that I know
366
00:18:05,219 --> 00:18:08,178
about all that took place
and I'm waiting for it.
367
00:18:08,261 --> 00:18:10,344
[man] Did you know what
Colonel North was doing?
368
00:18:10,428 --> 00:18:12,261
No.
369
00:18:12,344 --> 00:18:16,178
[echoing]
No.
370
00:18:16,261 --> 00:18:18,052
[woman] Can you say whether
you are aware that
371
00:18:18,136 --> 00:18:20,844
anyone who advised your
campaign had contacts
372
00:18:20,927 --> 00:18:22,969
with Russia during
the course of the election?
373
00:18:23,052 --> 00:18:24,969
Well, I told you,
General Flynn obviously
374
00:18:25,052 --> 00:18:26,844
was dealing,
so that's one person,
375
00:18:26,927 --> 00:18:28,802
but he was dealing--
as he should have been--
376
00:18:28,886 --> 00:18:32,511
- [woman] During the election?
- No--nobody that I know of.
377
00:18:34,052 --> 00:18:37,344
[Foster] This had to be
known by others.
378
00:18:37,428 --> 00:18:40,386
This could not be
a rogue operation
379
00:18:40,470 --> 00:18:43,844
run by one man bringing
millions of dollars
380
00:18:43,927 --> 00:18:45,886
from all over the world
and arms
381
00:18:45,969 --> 00:18:49,511
into a jungle camp
in the Honduras,
382
00:18:49,595 --> 00:18:51,802
Nicaraguan border.
383
00:18:51,886 --> 00:18:55,011
This was a very elaborate plan
384
00:18:55,094 --> 00:18:57,678
involving many, many agencies
and many, many people
385
00:18:57,802 --> 00:19:00,428
all over the world,
and it had to be funded.
386
00:19:00,511 --> 00:19:02,595
So who was funding
this thing?
387
00:19:02,678 --> 00:19:04,802
[indistinct radio chatter]
388
00:19:05,761 --> 00:19:08,178
There was some monies
389
00:19:08,261 --> 00:19:10,386
being made available
for some other purpose.
390
00:19:10,470 --> 00:19:13,094
A certain amount of money
was negotiated
391
00:19:13,178 --> 00:19:15,261
with Iran for arms.
392
00:19:15,344 --> 00:19:17,386
The United States
providing the arms...
393
00:19:17,470 --> 00:19:19,761
- [gunshot]
- Transferring the arms,
394
00:19:19,844 --> 00:19:21,720
in effect, selling the arms.
395
00:19:21,802 --> 00:19:23,595
One agency was doing one
thing--transferring the arms--
396
00:19:23,678 --> 00:19:24,886
another agency was
doing another thing--
397
00:19:24,969 --> 00:19:26,761
in effect, selling the arms.
398
00:19:26,844 --> 00:19:28,428
There were certain things--
the United States--
399
00:19:28,511 --> 00:19:30,011
providing Iran with arms.
400
00:19:30,094 --> 00:19:31,595
[woman] Why wasn't
the president told?
401
00:19:31,678 --> 00:19:33,303
The president knew
nothing about it
402
00:19:33,386 --> 00:19:34,927
until I reported it to him.
403
00:19:35,011 --> 00:19:37,178
I alerted him
yesterday morning.
404
00:19:37,261 --> 00:19:39,428
[helicopter whirring]
405
00:19:39,511 --> 00:19:43,094
♪♪♪
406
00:19:43,178 --> 00:19:45,386
[indistinct radio chatter]
407
00:19:45,470 --> 00:19:48,052
[man] The car loaded with
bombs exploded this morning
408
00:19:48,136 --> 00:19:50,678
outside the United States
embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.
409
00:19:50,761 --> 00:19:53,052
[sirens wailing]
410
00:19:53,136 --> 00:19:55,802
[man] This is the worst
attack there has ever been
411
00:19:55,886 --> 00:19:59,927
against the United States
in the Middle East.
412
00:20:00,011 --> 00:20:01,886
[Byrne]
In the early '80s,
413
00:20:01,969 --> 00:20:04,844
the group Hezbollah started
a series of bombings
414
00:20:04,927 --> 00:20:07,761
in Lebanon,
415
00:20:07,844 --> 00:20:12,136
and then started
taking Western hostages.
416
00:20:12,219 --> 00:20:14,636
[woman] The wives of two
Americans kidnapped in Lebanon
417
00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:16,303
made an appeal
to President Reagan,
418
00:20:16,386 --> 00:20:18,511
calling him obstinate
and asking him
419
00:20:18,595 --> 00:20:22,178
to begin negotiations.
420
00:20:22,261 --> 00:20:25,219
[Reagan]
These deeds make so evident
421
00:20:25,303 --> 00:20:29,386
the bestial nature of those
who would assume power
422
00:20:29,470 --> 00:20:31,720
if they could have their way
423
00:20:31,802 --> 00:20:35,052
and drive us out of that area,
that we must be...
424
00:20:35,136 --> 00:20:37,303
[Byrne]
The hostage crisis was a huge,
425
00:20:37,386 --> 00:20:40,094
emotional deal
for all Americans,
426
00:20:40,178 --> 00:20:44,094
a feeling of--
of utter helplessness.
427
00:20:44,178 --> 00:20:47,011
Reagan took the hostage crisis
very personally.
428
00:20:47,094 --> 00:20:48,553
[Reagan] Thank you.
429
00:20:48,636 --> 00:20:50,553
[man] Those men deserve
to come home
430
00:20:50,636 --> 00:20:52,261
as quickly as possible.
431
00:20:52,344 --> 00:20:54,720
[man 2] And I know
that you have not rested
432
00:20:54,802 --> 00:20:56,178
nor will you rest
433
00:20:56,261 --> 00:21:00,595
until every American
is home free.
434
00:21:00,678 --> 00:21:03,303
[man 3] The very uncertainty
of the hostages' condition
435
00:21:03,386 --> 00:21:06,011
looms larger
with each passing day.
436
00:21:06,094 --> 00:21:08,344
[Weiner]
The American hostages included
437
00:21:08,428 --> 00:21:10,844
the CIA station chief
in Beirut,
438
00:21:10,927 --> 00:21:13,844
William Buckley.
439
00:21:13,927 --> 00:21:16,553
The president
listened to a tape
440
00:21:16,636 --> 00:21:21,011
of Buckley being tortured
by his captors.
441
00:21:21,094 --> 00:21:22,886
From that day onward,
442
00:21:22,969 --> 00:21:26,720
the president,
daily, implored.
443
00:21:26,802 --> 00:21:30,470
"Can't you do something
to free the Americans?"
444
00:21:30,553 --> 00:21:32,094
[Poindexter]
We are convinced that Iran
445
00:21:32,178 --> 00:21:33,927
does have
substantial influence
446
00:21:34,011 --> 00:21:36,428
over some of the groups
which hold our hostages.
447
00:21:38,636 --> 00:21:42,553
[Foster]
Buckley died under torture.
448
00:21:42,636 --> 00:21:46,511
[Weiner] The pressure grew
and grew and grew.
449
00:21:46,595 --> 00:21:48,094
"Do something."
450
00:21:48,178 --> 00:21:49,886
[man]
The next move is evidently
451
00:21:49,969 --> 00:21:51,595
up to the United States.
452
00:21:51,678 --> 00:21:54,595
♪ tense music ♪
453
00:21:54,678 --> 00:21:56,969
♪♪♪
454
00:21:57,052 --> 00:21:59,511
I, William H. Webster,
do solemnly swear
455
00:21:59,595 --> 00:22:01,052
that I will support
and defend...
456
00:22:01,136 --> 00:22:03,219
[Weiner]
On paper, William Webster
457
00:22:03,303 --> 00:22:06,136
was at the very top
of the chain of command.
458
00:22:08,636 --> 00:22:12,011
But in reality, in the
second half of the 1980s,
459
00:22:12,094 --> 00:22:14,261
nothing happened at the FBI
460
00:22:14,344 --> 00:22:16,470
that Buck Revell,
the number two man,
461
00:22:16,553 --> 00:22:18,470
didn't have a hand in.
462
00:22:21,178 --> 00:22:22,886
[Revell]
Terrorism had been an issue
463
00:22:22,969 --> 00:22:25,261
with the United States
for some time,
464
00:22:25,344 --> 00:22:29,386
but in 1985,
it seemed that we had a--
465
00:22:29,470 --> 00:22:32,136
a heightening of the attacks.
466
00:22:32,219 --> 00:22:34,428
The United States gives
terrorists no rewards
467
00:22:34,511 --> 00:22:36,386
and no guarantees.
468
00:22:36,470 --> 00:22:40,011
We make no concessions.
We make no deals.
469
00:22:40,094 --> 00:22:43,761
[Revell] President Reagan
decided that he'd had enough
470
00:22:43,844 --> 00:22:47,011
and he wanted to see
what more could be done.
471
00:22:47,094 --> 00:22:49,969
[Byrne] There was
an extraordinary meeting.
472
00:22:50,052 --> 00:22:51,927
President Reagan himself
essentially said,
473
00:22:52,011 --> 00:22:55,011
I am willing to break the law
for the sake of the hostages.
474
00:22:55,094 --> 00:22:56,844
[Weiner] It was the belief
475
00:22:56,927 --> 00:22:59,178
of the President
of the United States
476
00:22:59,261 --> 00:23:01,344
that the way
to free the hostages
477
00:23:01,428 --> 00:23:04,927
was to pay ransom
in the form of lethal,
478
00:23:05,011 --> 00:23:07,761
sophisticated,
American weapons
479
00:23:07,844 --> 00:23:11,844
to the Iranian regime.
480
00:23:11,927 --> 00:23:15,720
Iran had a great deal of
influence with the Hezbollah.
481
00:23:15,802 --> 00:23:19,386
The objective was
to try to get Iran
482
00:23:19,470 --> 00:23:21,678
to use its influence
with the Hezbollah
483
00:23:21,761 --> 00:23:25,927
to return the hostages
that had been taken.
484
00:23:26,011 --> 00:23:27,553
If they would
use their influence
485
00:23:27,636 --> 00:23:30,344
to try to help us
get the hostages back,
486
00:23:30,428 --> 00:23:33,969
we would provide them
with weapons.
487
00:23:34,052 --> 00:23:37,052
I was seriously concerned.
488
00:23:37,136 --> 00:23:39,636
I discussed it
with Director Webster.
489
00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:42,678
[Weiner] Webster asked
Attorney General Ed Meese.
490
00:23:42,761 --> 00:23:45,636
Of course it's legal.
491
00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,511
Webster takes this
back to Revell and says,
492
00:23:48,595 --> 00:23:52,303
"Ed Meese doesn't seem
to have a problem with it."
493
00:23:52,386 --> 00:23:54,678
It went completely
against everything that
494
00:23:54,761 --> 00:23:56,927
Ronald Reagan had
ever said in public about
495
00:23:57,011 --> 00:23:59,553
how to deal with terrorism.
496
00:23:59,636 --> 00:24:02,636
Reagan's top advisors
were their most vocal
497
00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:06,428
about telling the president
that he couldn't do this.
498
00:24:06,511 --> 00:24:10,303
"This is illegal and
it's bad politics,
499
00:24:10,386 --> 00:24:12,969
and you can't
just wash it away.
500
00:24:13,052 --> 00:24:15,761
It's just a bad idea
and you shouldn't do it."
501
00:24:15,844 --> 00:24:17,678
And Reagan's response was,
502
00:24:17,761 --> 00:24:20,178
"I know, but..."
503
00:24:20,261 --> 00:24:23,428
Reagan was intent on doing
whatever it would take.
504
00:24:25,470 --> 00:24:28,386
Members of the
Reagan administration--
505
00:24:28,470 --> 00:24:30,595
these are men
from another generation
506
00:24:30,678 --> 00:24:32,470
who are note takers.
507
00:24:39,011 --> 00:24:41,802
[man] What seems clear is that
the other American hostages
508
00:24:41,886 --> 00:24:44,470
in Lebanon are not likely
to be released this week.
509
00:24:46,261 --> 00:24:48,470
[Foster] The notes did show
that President Reagan
510
00:24:48,553 --> 00:24:50,802
had knowledge
of what was going on.
511
00:24:50,886 --> 00:24:54,428
♪♪♪
512
00:25:02,511 --> 00:25:05,553
After the crash in
the jungles of Nicaragua
513
00:25:05,636 --> 00:25:08,344
exposes the fact that
514
00:25:08,428 --> 00:25:12,011
the United States is
illegally backing the Contras,
515
00:25:12,094 --> 00:25:15,011
a little newspaper in Beirut
516
00:25:15,094 --> 00:25:18,470
reveals that Oliver North
517
00:25:18,553 --> 00:25:21,470
has been shipping weapons
518
00:25:21,553 --> 00:25:24,011
to the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard.
519
00:25:24,094 --> 00:25:26,303
There are a number
of reports tonight that
520
00:25:26,386 --> 00:25:28,261
the United States
arranged for the shipment
521
00:25:28,344 --> 00:25:31,052
of military parts to Iran
as part of a deal
522
00:25:31,136 --> 00:25:32,802
for the release
of American hostages.
523
00:25:32,886 --> 00:25:35,720
[man] Mr. President, do we
have a deal going with Iran
524
00:25:35,802 --> 00:25:38,761
of some sort?
525
00:25:38,844 --> 00:25:42,636
No comment, but could I suggest
an appeal to all of you
526
00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:44,511
with regard to this
that the speculation,
527
00:25:44,595 --> 00:25:46,303
the commenting and all,
528
00:25:46,386 --> 00:25:49,261
on a story that came out
of the Middle East
529
00:25:49,344 --> 00:25:51,678
and that--one that
has no foundation.
530
00:25:51,761 --> 00:25:56,011
♪♪♪
531
00:25:56,094 --> 00:25:57,470
[man]
Mr. President,
532
00:25:57,553 --> 00:26:00,386
how can you justify
this duplicity?
533
00:26:00,470 --> 00:26:02,553
[Revell] The president
became more and more concerned
534
00:26:02,636 --> 00:26:05,386
about the allegations.
535
00:26:05,470 --> 00:26:08,386
The president decided
to give a speech.
536
00:26:08,470 --> 00:26:10,844
A charge has been made
that the United States
537
00:26:10,927 --> 00:26:14,052
has shipped weapons to Iran
as ransom payment
538
00:26:14,136 --> 00:26:17,219
for the release of
American hostages in Lebanon,
539
00:26:17,303 --> 00:26:19,136
that the United States
undercut its allies
540
00:26:19,219 --> 00:26:22,052
and secretly violated
American policy
541
00:26:22,136 --> 00:26:24,219
against trafficking
with terrorists.
542
00:26:24,303 --> 00:26:26,802
Those charges
are utterly false.
543
00:26:26,886 --> 00:26:29,802
[Revell] "We have not traded
weapons for hostages."
544
00:26:29,886 --> 00:26:32,261
That was the essence
of the entire speech.
545
00:26:32,344 --> 00:26:35,136
To my mind,
that was not accurate.
546
00:26:35,219 --> 00:26:38,802
I raised it with Director
Webster, and he said,
547
00:26:38,886 --> 00:26:40,428
"It's not an issue of which
548
00:26:40,511 --> 00:26:42,303
we have jurisdiction
or responsibility."
549
00:26:42,386 --> 00:26:44,636
That concern was waved off,
and of course,
550
00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:46,678
the president went ahead
and made that statement.
551
00:26:46,761 --> 00:26:48,511
The United States
has not swapped
552
00:26:48,595 --> 00:26:50,844
boatloads and planeloads
of American weapons
553
00:26:50,927 --> 00:26:54,969
for the return
of American hostages,
554
00:26:55,052 --> 00:26:57,511
and we will not.
555
00:26:59,428 --> 00:27:01,802
[Glasser] If there is a crime
that's been committed
556
00:27:01,886 --> 00:27:03,428
by a president,
557
00:27:03,511 --> 00:27:05,386
is it the FBI's job
558
00:27:05,470 --> 00:27:07,844
to make sure the president's
not above the law?
559
00:27:07,927 --> 00:27:09,261
If there's an allegation,
560
00:27:09,344 --> 00:27:13,136
if there's a predication
for a case,
561
00:27:13,219 --> 00:27:16,261
hell yeah the FBI
is gonna investigate that.
562
00:27:16,344 --> 00:27:20,511
♪♪♪
563
00:27:20,595 --> 00:27:22,761
[Byrne] There was a key
meeting the week after
564
00:27:22,844 --> 00:27:25,761
the Iran revelation.
565
00:27:25,844 --> 00:27:28,511
Attorney General Ed Meese
decided to take over
566
00:27:28,595 --> 00:27:30,720
to make sure this crisis
567
00:27:30,802 --> 00:27:33,303
didn't end up
destroying the presidency.
568
00:27:34,969 --> 00:27:37,136
Meese was
the attorney general,
569
00:27:37,219 --> 00:27:38,678
but he also
considered himself
570
00:27:38,761 --> 00:27:41,678
a close colleague
and friend of Reagan's.
571
00:27:43,011 --> 00:27:47,428
His responsibility is to see
that justice is served.
572
00:27:47,511 --> 00:27:50,011
It's not a hat you can just
take off when you want to.
573
00:27:50,094 --> 00:27:51,636
[journalists
all speaking at once]
574
00:27:51,720 --> 00:27:54,386
But he decided that
his chief responsibility
575
00:27:54,470 --> 00:27:57,969
was to serve the president
as an advisor.
576
00:27:58,052 --> 00:28:00,678
Why don't I tell you what--
what is the situation
577
00:28:00,802 --> 00:28:02,802
and then I'll take
your questions?
578
00:28:02,886 --> 00:28:05,595
[Byrne] Meese had sent
his own top advisors
579
00:28:05,678 --> 00:28:09,136
to go and look through
North's files.
580
00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:13,553
One of them discovered
what came to be known as
581
00:28:13,636 --> 00:28:16,553
the diversion memo.
582
00:28:16,636 --> 00:28:18,802
The diversion memo is probably
583
00:28:18,886 --> 00:28:22,303
the most important single
document in the whole scandal.
584
00:28:26,595 --> 00:28:28,678
The diversion memo
is discovered
585
00:28:28,761 --> 00:28:31,802
by two senior Justice
Department officials.
586
00:28:31,886 --> 00:28:35,303
They called Ed Meese,
went and had lunch with him,
587
00:28:35,386 --> 00:28:39,470
and told him about the memo.
588
00:28:39,553 --> 00:28:43,428
Finding the memo was
like a nuclear explosion.
589
00:28:44,802 --> 00:28:48,386
[Byrne] Meese acted like
he was shocked and, you know,
590
00:28:48,470 --> 00:28:51,178
muttered some sort of an oath.
591
00:28:51,261 --> 00:28:53,595
"I'm gonna figure out
what happened
592
00:28:53,678 --> 00:28:55,553
and how we're gonna
deal with it."
593
00:28:55,636 --> 00:28:58,802
♪ dark synth music ♪
594
00:28:58,886 --> 00:29:00,553
[Meese]
What is involved is that
595
00:29:00,636 --> 00:29:03,553
in the course
of the arms transfers,
596
00:29:03,636 --> 00:29:07,595
certain monies
were made available
597
00:29:07,678 --> 00:29:11,303
to the forces
in Central America,
598
00:29:11,386 --> 00:29:13,470
which are opposing
599
00:29:13,553 --> 00:29:16,136
the Sandinista
government there.
600
00:29:16,219 --> 00:29:18,344
♪ eerie piano music ♪
601
00:29:18,428 --> 00:29:20,844
[Byrne] Oliver North
came up with the idea
602
00:29:20,927 --> 00:29:24,886
to jack up the prices
from the Iran arms sales,
603
00:29:24,969 --> 00:29:28,178
take the profits,
and use those to supply
604
00:29:28,261 --> 00:29:31,094
the Contras with weapons that
he couldn't get officially.
605
00:29:32,636 --> 00:29:36,802
To combine two totally
separate covert operations.
606
00:29:36,886 --> 00:29:40,219
To link them together with
this diversion of funds
607
00:29:40,303 --> 00:29:43,595
was really what brought
the whole house of cards down.
608
00:29:43,678 --> 00:29:45,678
[radio tuning]
609
00:29:45,761 --> 00:29:47,678
[man] The Reagan
administration on this issue
610
00:29:47,761 --> 00:29:50,470
of arms shipments to Iran
is a portrait of confusion
611
00:29:50,553 --> 00:29:52,678
and disarray on policy.
612
00:29:52,761 --> 00:29:54,303
[man 2] The arrangement,
apparently,
613
00:29:54,386 --> 00:29:56,344
was a violation of
administration policy.
614
00:29:59,052 --> 00:30:01,969
[Byrne] After a couple
of days of his own inquiry,
615
00:30:02,052 --> 00:30:05,052
he realized that he could say
616
00:30:05,136 --> 00:30:08,470
the only people who knew
about it were Oliver North
617
00:30:08,553 --> 00:30:11,553
and John Poindexter,
and neither of them
618
00:30:11,636 --> 00:30:14,470
would choose to say that the
president specifically knew
619
00:30:14,553 --> 00:30:16,720
about this diversion.
620
00:30:16,802 --> 00:30:19,678
I was not fully informed on the
nature of one of the activities
621
00:30:19,761 --> 00:30:22,344
undertaken in connection
with this initiative.
622
00:30:22,428 --> 00:30:24,303
[Meese] The president knew
nothing about it
623
00:30:24,386 --> 00:30:25,969
until I reported it to him.
624
00:30:26,052 --> 00:30:27,720
I alerted him
yesterday morning.
625
00:30:27,802 --> 00:30:29,720
But what Ed Meese,
in particular,
626
00:30:29,802 --> 00:30:33,344
managed to do here was
to make that diversion
627
00:30:33,428 --> 00:30:35,178
the center of the story.
628
00:30:35,261 --> 00:30:38,344
It played on the famous
Watergate formulation of,
629
00:30:38,428 --> 00:30:41,511
what did the president know
and when did he know it?
630
00:30:41,595 --> 00:30:43,470
[Nixon]
I had no prior knowledge
631
00:30:43,553 --> 00:30:45,844
of the Watergate break-in.
632
00:30:45,927 --> 00:30:48,553
The diversion became
the core of the story.
633
00:30:48,636 --> 00:30:50,553
A whole series
of other activities
634
00:30:50,636 --> 00:30:52,927
that Reagan was
very well aware of
635
00:30:53,011 --> 00:30:56,720
and that he, himself,
believed violated the law
636
00:30:56,802 --> 00:30:58,428
were swept aside.
637
00:30:58,511 --> 00:31:00,761
So the question became,
638
00:31:00,844 --> 00:31:03,553
did the president actually
not know about it?
639
00:31:03,636 --> 00:31:06,844
Let's dig into that and let's
figure out that side of things.
640
00:31:06,927 --> 00:31:08,969
♪♪♪
641
00:31:09,052 --> 00:31:11,886
This was what provided Meese
and the administration
642
00:31:11,969 --> 00:31:13,511
with an out.
643
00:31:13,595 --> 00:31:16,678
[audience applauding]
644
00:31:18,927 --> 00:31:20,886
["That's What Friends
Are For" playing]
645
00:31:20,969 --> 00:31:22,761
♪ And I ♪
646
00:31:22,844 --> 00:31:26,344
♪ Never thought
I'd feel this way... ♪
647
00:31:26,428 --> 00:31:28,927
[Byrne] They could say
the crux of the matter
648
00:31:29,011 --> 00:31:31,344
was this diversion.
649
00:31:31,428 --> 00:31:34,011
"We have done
our investigation
650
00:31:34,094 --> 00:31:38,011
and we have uncovered
this momentous development.
651
00:31:38,094 --> 00:31:39,802
We can say for a certainty
652
00:31:39,886 --> 00:31:41,595
that the president
never knew about it.
653
00:31:41,678 --> 00:31:44,386
Having discovered it,
the president acted
654
00:31:44,470 --> 00:31:46,636
firmly and quickly."
655
00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:49,969
♪ You see, that's what ♪
656
00:31:50,052 --> 00:31:53,178
♪ Friends are ♪
657
00:31:53,261 --> 00:31:58,428
♪ For ♪
658
00:31:58,511 --> 00:32:00,303
Thank you so very, very much.
659
00:32:00,386 --> 00:32:02,344
[audience applauds,
indistinct chatter]
660
00:32:05,011 --> 00:32:06,636
[Reagan] Lieutenant Colonel
Oliver North
661
00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:08,094
has been relieved
of his duties
662
00:32:08,178 --> 00:32:10,595
on the National Security
Council staff.
663
00:32:10,678 --> 00:32:12,636
Although not
directly involved,
664
00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:14,802
Vice Admiral John Poindexter
665
00:32:14,886 --> 00:32:17,094
has asked to be relieved
of his assignment
666
00:32:17,178 --> 00:32:20,678
as Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs.
667
00:32:20,761 --> 00:32:23,344
[echoing]
Not directly involved...
668
00:32:23,428 --> 00:32:26,011
Not directly involved...
669
00:32:26,094 --> 00:32:27,844
[Glasser]
The day after Thanksgiving,
670
00:32:27,927 --> 00:32:30,136
I interviewed
National Security Advisor
671
00:32:30,219 --> 00:32:33,386
Admiral Poindexter.
672
00:32:33,470 --> 00:32:36,886
To call my meeting with
Admiral Poindexter pleasant
673
00:32:36,969 --> 00:32:40,011
is really a superficial
characterization,
674
00:32:40,094 --> 00:32:42,886
so I'm sure for him,
it was very unpleasant.
675
00:32:42,969 --> 00:32:45,678
♪ tense music ♪
676
00:32:45,761 --> 00:32:48,428
The questions
were really about,
677
00:32:48,511 --> 00:32:52,344
did he know what
Oliver North was doing?
678
00:32:52,428 --> 00:32:55,969
He made it clear that he did
not have detailed knowledge
679
00:32:56,052 --> 00:32:59,678
of what Oliver North
was doing.
680
00:32:59,761 --> 00:33:03,470
I wanted to know whether
he had destroyed any records.
681
00:33:05,136 --> 00:33:07,802
When I interview someone
in terms of looking
682
00:33:07,886 --> 00:33:10,886
at different cues to see
if they might be
683
00:33:10,969 --> 00:33:13,761
telling a lie,
684
00:33:13,844 --> 00:33:17,052
most of the time,
I just rely on
685
00:33:17,136 --> 00:33:19,428
inconsistencies.
686
00:33:19,511 --> 00:33:21,094
When Admiral Poindexter
told me that
687
00:33:21,178 --> 00:33:23,136
he could have stopped Ollie,
688
00:33:23,219 --> 00:33:26,927
I have to say that maybe the
hair on the back of my neck
689
00:33:27,011 --> 00:33:29,136
kinda stood up
a little bit because
690
00:33:29,219 --> 00:33:31,678
I do look for inconsistencies
691
00:33:31,761 --> 00:33:34,052
and, you know, I thought, well,
692
00:33:34,136 --> 00:33:36,219
why would he say that?
693
00:33:36,303 --> 00:33:38,470
Why would he volunteer that
he could've stopped Ollie?
694
00:33:38,553 --> 00:33:40,136
Stopped him from what?
695
00:33:40,219 --> 00:33:42,094
[wind whooshing]
696
00:33:45,553 --> 00:33:48,428
[shredder whirring]
697
00:33:50,261 --> 00:33:54,219
[paper crunching]
698
00:33:54,303 --> 00:33:57,219
[man] You're accused by other
administration officials.
699
00:33:57,303 --> 00:33:59,969
They're saying you shredded
documents earlier in the week
700
00:34:00,052 --> 00:34:01,470
that possibly
could've concealed
701
00:34:01,553 --> 00:34:02,844
some of the Iran dealings.
702
00:34:02,927 --> 00:34:04,802
Can you comment on that?
703
00:34:04,886 --> 00:34:06,802
I would refer those questions
to my attorney upstairs.
704
00:34:06,886 --> 00:34:09,886
♪ eerie piano music ♪
705
00:34:09,969 --> 00:34:12,303
[Glasser] The FBI's
involvement in this case
706
00:34:12,386 --> 00:34:16,844
came after some
destruction of documents,
707
00:34:16,927 --> 00:34:19,886
after Attorney General
Edwin Meese
708
00:34:19,969 --> 00:34:22,678
had done
a fact-finding inquiry
709
00:34:22,761 --> 00:34:26,553
and that in and of itself,
was rather unusual.
710
00:34:26,636 --> 00:34:28,386
[man] Some critics have said
711
00:34:28,470 --> 00:34:30,636
that when you did
a fact-finding mission,
712
00:34:30,720 --> 00:34:33,386
it enabled Admiral Poindexter
and Colonel North
713
00:34:33,470 --> 00:34:36,969
to destroy National
Security Council documents.
714
00:34:37,052 --> 00:34:39,720
No, that is certainly
not a valid criticism
715
00:34:39,802 --> 00:34:41,136
because we were never looking--
716
00:34:41,219 --> 00:34:43,303
we were never conducting
an investigation.
717
00:34:43,386 --> 00:34:46,052
We were never conducting
even a fact-finding mission.
718
00:34:46,136 --> 00:34:49,595
We were trying simply to pull
all the information together
719
00:34:49,678 --> 00:34:52,761
for a presentation to Congress.
720
00:34:52,844 --> 00:34:54,553
[man] You had mentioned
the investigation
721
00:34:54,636 --> 00:34:56,470
started a little late.
722
00:34:56,553 --> 00:34:58,969
Do you think that the
attorney general was delaying?
723
00:34:59,052 --> 00:35:01,344
I can't--you know,
I do, but I can't.
724
00:35:01,428 --> 00:35:04,761
I mean, absolutely do,
but I can't, uh--
725
00:35:04,844 --> 00:35:08,470
I didn't ever interview him.
726
00:35:08,553 --> 00:35:12,136
I think it's
a natural tendency
727
00:35:12,219 --> 00:35:15,678
when you have a president
that you love and admire
728
00:35:15,761 --> 00:35:18,511
to wanna think the best of him,
729
00:35:18,595 --> 00:35:22,428
to protect him.
730
00:35:22,511 --> 00:35:25,595
I think Admiral Poindexter
and Edwin Meese both did that.
731
00:35:27,428 --> 00:35:30,720
[Major] Now, Poindexter is
a very technically savvy guy,
732
00:35:30,802 --> 00:35:32,511
very, very bright guy.
733
00:35:32,595 --> 00:35:34,386
[machines bleeping]
734
00:35:34,470 --> 00:35:37,428
♪ synth music ♪
735
00:35:37,511 --> 00:35:39,011
♪♪♪
736
00:35:39,094 --> 00:35:41,011
[Weiner] Admiral Poindexter
established
737
00:35:41,094 --> 00:35:43,386
a secret back channel
738
00:35:43,470 --> 00:35:46,470
that he and Lieutenant
Colonel North would use
739
00:35:46,553 --> 00:35:48,927
as they schemed.
740
00:35:49,011 --> 00:35:52,720
It was an early form of email
known as PROFS.
741
00:35:52,802 --> 00:35:55,761
This was '85.
Nobody had email systems.
742
00:35:55,844 --> 00:35:58,261
This computer system
is another example
743
00:35:58,344 --> 00:36:00,136
of innovation at IBM.
744
00:36:00,219 --> 00:36:02,511
[Major] We could sit
at our computer
745
00:36:02,595 --> 00:36:05,595
and type out a message to the
National Security Advisor.
746
00:36:05,678 --> 00:36:07,595
That's when I learned,
by the way,
747
00:36:07,678 --> 00:36:09,802
that typing
in all caps is yelling.
748
00:36:11,678 --> 00:36:15,678
[Glasser] We realized that
there were deleted messages
749
00:36:15,761 --> 00:36:18,094
from Admiral Poindexter.
750
00:36:18,178 --> 00:36:20,553
[Byrne] In the days just
before the press conference,
751
00:36:20,636 --> 00:36:25,136
his file consisted of more
than 5,000 email messages.
752
00:36:25,219 --> 00:36:27,969
The next day,
after the press conference,
753
00:36:28,052 --> 00:36:31,678
his file contained
zero emails.
754
00:36:34,344 --> 00:36:36,761
♪ tense music ♪
755
00:36:36,844 --> 00:36:39,511
[Glasser] It sort of went
to his state of mind
756
00:36:39,595 --> 00:36:42,011
that he was
destroying information.
757
00:36:43,720 --> 00:36:46,052
[Foster]
Poindexter and Oliver North
758
00:36:46,136 --> 00:36:48,511
were not understanding why,
759
00:36:48,595 --> 00:36:50,636
when they pushed
that delete button,
760
00:36:50,720 --> 00:36:52,636
it really didn't get deleted.
761
00:36:52,720 --> 00:36:54,470
[electronic bleeping]
762
00:36:54,553 --> 00:36:56,553
The problem was
the backup tape.
763
00:36:56,636 --> 00:36:59,886
The FBI was able
to get access to that tape
764
00:36:59,969 --> 00:37:02,344
and reconstruct
the entire record
765
00:37:02,428 --> 00:37:04,470
of Poindexter's and everybody
else's communications
766
00:37:04,553 --> 00:37:06,303
relating to Iran-Contra.
767
00:37:06,386 --> 00:37:08,511
[Nields] I believe it's
mentioned in your PROF message,
768
00:37:08,595 --> 00:37:11,136
which was not deleted.
769
00:37:11,219 --> 00:37:13,094
That old delete button.
770
00:37:13,178 --> 00:37:16,511
And we were able
to retrieve those messages,
771
00:37:16,595 --> 00:37:19,678
that certainly illustrated
that Poindexter
772
00:37:19,761 --> 00:37:22,720
knew what North was doing.
773
00:37:22,802 --> 00:37:25,344
And as--as North's boss,
774
00:37:25,428 --> 00:37:28,636
was approving it.
775
00:37:28,720 --> 00:37:32,511
It shows you what people knew,
who else knew it,
776
00:37:32,595 --> 00:37:34,678
the level of knowledge
by other people.
777
00:37:34,761 --> 00:37:36,969
[man] The White House's
National Security Advisor,
778
00:37:37,052 --> 00:37:40,094
John Poindexter, has been
secretly masterminding
779
00:37:40,178 --> 00:37:42,553
the shipment of spare parts
and arms to Iran.
780
00:37:42,636 --> 00:37:46,344
Top officials around President
Reagan plotted a cover-up.
781
00:37:46,428 --> 00:37:48,344
The emails that we recovered
782
00:37:48,428 --> 00:37:51,761
actually solidified what
we thought we knew.
783
00:37:51,844 --> 00:37:54,178
Oliver North was
running a very large
784
00:37:54,261 --> 00:37:58,802
and illegal operation.
785
00:37:58,886 --> 00:38:00,303
President Reagan was clearly
786
00:38:00,386 --> 00:38:03,136
the senior official.
787
00:38:03,219 --> 00:38:06,011
He had knowledge
of what was going on.
788
00:38:06,094 --> 00:38:08,303
Stop the killing!
Stop the lies.
789
00:38:08,386 --> 00:38:10,802
[man] In secretly sending
weapons to Iran
790
00:38:10,886 --> 00:38:12,344
and looking after
taxpayer money,
791
00:38:12,428 --> 00:38:14,011
President Reagan failed to do
792
00:38:14,094 --> 00:38:15,802
what the Constitution
required.
793
00:38:15,886 --> 00:38:19,678
This is human blood upon
the pillars of the White House.
794
00:38:19,761 --> 00:38:22,303
[Foster] Selling arms to the
Iranians after they blew up
795
00:38:22,386 --> 00:38:23,927
the Beirut barracks,
after they blew up
796
00:38:24,011 --> 00:38:26,136
the Beirut embassy
is the most immoral thing.
797
00:38:26,219 --> 00:38:28,344
That's like selling
Zyklon B to the Germans
798
00:38:28,428 --> 00:38:30,636
after we found out
the Holocaust was underway.
799
00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:33,428
[man] Mr. Reagan is ultimately
responsible for what happened.
800
00:38:33,511 --> 00:38:35,386
When you have
a prisoner of war,
801
00:38:35,470 --> 00:38:38,386
you don't endanger the lives
of the whole country
802
00:38:38,470 --> 00:38:42,261
to get one man out of prison,
but if he did it,
803
00:38:42,344 --> 00:38:43,969
it's the biggest mistake
that's been made
804
00:38:44,052 --> 00:38:45,470
by a president in a long time.
805
00:38:47,303 --> 00:38:51,470
I was horrified that, um,
806
00:38:51,553 --> 00:38:53,761
that the Reagan administration
807
00:38:53,844 --> 00:38:57,470
knew that Congress
808
00:38:57,553 --> 00:39:01,011
did not support the funding
of the Contras.
809
00:39:01,094 --> 00:39:03,511
We had a law in place,
the Arms Export Control Act,
810
00:39:03,595 --> 00:39:06,261
which we knew
811
00:39:06,344 --> 00:39:09,511
we shouldn't be
shipping arms to Iran.
812
00:39:09,595 --> 00:39:12,927
The administration
ignored that,
813
00:39:13,011 --> 00:39:15,094
and not only ignored it,
814
00:39:15,178 --> 00:39:17,470
but conducted those activities
815
00:39:17,553 --> 00:39:19,511
behind the front door
of the White House.
816
00:39:19,595 --> 00:39:22,136
♪♪♪
817
00:39:22,219 --> 00:39:25,219
[journalists
all speaking at once]
818
00:39:25,303 --> 00:39:27,802
[Meese] We think that
we have a statutory basis
819
00:39:27,886 --> 00:39:31,178
to believe that a federal law
may have been violated.
820
00:39:31,261 --> 00:39:33,553
If there is any
criminality whatsoever,
821
00:39:33,636 --> 00:39:36,136
all of that matter will be
investigated thoroughly
822
00:39:36,219 --> 00:39:37,927
by an independent counsel,
823
00:39:38,011 --> 00:39:39,927
as I found a statutory basis
824
00:39:40,011 --> 00:39:42,386
to believe that it was
appropriate under the law
825
00:39:42,470 --> 00:39:45,178
for an independent counsel
to proceed.
826
00:39:45,261 --> 00:39:46,844
Good afternoon.
827
00:39:46,927 --> 00:39:51,844
The grand jury
indicted four defendants:
828
00:39:51,927 --> 00:39:55,344
John M. Poindexter,
Oliver L. North,
829
00:39:55,428 --> 00:39:59,178
Richard V. Secord,
and Albert Hakim.
830
00:39:59,261 --> 00:40:01,927
[Glasser] Judge Lawrence Walsh
built an organization
831
00:40:02,011 --> 00:40:05,052
of FBI agents and attorneys,
832
00:40:05,136 --> 00:40:08,886
which was quite remarkable.
833
00:40:08,969 --> 00:40:13,094
I was privileged
to work with him.
834
00:40:13,178 --> 00:40:15,428
[Foster] The FBI and
the independent counsel
835
00:40:15,511 --> 00:40:18,511
was looking at the
president's culpability.
836
00:40:18,595 --> 00:40:21,470
These things don't happen
in a vacuum.
837
00:40:21,553 --> 00:40:24,844
It was important to find out
how much everyone knew,
838
00:40:24,927 --> 00:40:26,428
including the president.
839
00:40:26,511 --> 00:40:29,470
[Coulson] Without that
independent FBI,
840
00:40:29,553 --> 00:40:31,511
we don't have
a criminal justice system.
841
00:40:31,595 --> 00:40:34,886
If there's not a federal
agency that follows the law
842
00:40:34,969 --> 00:40:38,470
and is unbiased,
and unimpeded,
843
00:40:38,553 --> 00:40:41,428
there's no justice
in our country.
844
00:40:41,511 --> 00:40:42,927
[Glasser] The independent
counsel really
845
00:40:43,011 --> 00:40:45,386
doesn't report to anyone.
846
00:40:45,470 --> 00:40:47,802
Our case was criticized
for the amount of money
847
00:40:47,886 --> 00:40:50,511
that was spent
on the investigation
848
00:40:50,595 --> 00:40:53,178
and for how long it went on.
849
00:40:53,261 --> 00:40:55,178
And I have this witch-hunt
850
00:40:55,261 --> 00:40:57,511
constantly going on
851
00:40:57,595 --> 00:41:00,553
for over 12 months now.
852
00:41:00,636 --> 00:41:02,428
[Coulson] The independent
counsel is really important
853
00:41:02,511 --> 00:41:05,720
in our system that
drives the investigation.
854
00:41:05,802 --> 00:41:09,386
You need to be able to have
sort of an independent review
855
00:41:09,470 --> 00:41:11,386
of this kind of
potential misconduct.
856
00:41:11,470 --> 00:41:13,636
[man] The president today
tweeting, "The appointment
857
00:41:13,720 --> 00:41:15,927
of the Special Counsel
is totally unconstitutional."
858
00:41:16,011 --> 00:41:18,178
[Hannity] One of the biggest
political witch-hunts
859
00:41:18,261 --> 00:41:20,136
in the history
of this country.
860
00:41:20,219 --> 00:41:22,428
[camera shutters clicking]
861
00:41:22,511 --> 00:41:25,386
[journalists
shouting indistinctly]
862
00:41:29,011 --> 00:41:31,553
[Byrne] The congressional
hearings into Iran-Contra
863
00:41:31,636 --> 00:41:35,802
in the summer of 1987 were
an absolute spectacle.
864
00:41:35,886 --> 00:41:38,720
This was, I think
in many people's minds,
865
00:41:38,802 --> 00:41:40,761
going to be Watergate two.
866
00:41:40,844 --> 00:41:43,470
[shutter clicks]
867
00:41:43,553 --> 00:41:45,136
[Weiner] The question was,
868
00:41:45,219 --> 00:41:47,303
would North and Poindexter
be loyal,
869
00:41:47,386 --> 00:41:50,094
or would they give
the president up?
870
00:41:50,178 --> 00:41:52,386
[North] All I know is what
I've read in the papers
871
00:41:52,470 --> 00:41:54,761
and I don't believe
most of that.
872
00:41:54,844 --> 00:41:58,470
I mean, yesterday, I was
offered capital punishment.
873
00:41:58,553 --> 00:42:00,470
- [woman] Yes.
- The death penalty, yeah.
874
00:42:00,553 --> 00:42:04,178
I think that's
a little extreme, don't you?
875
00:42:05,886 --> 00:42:09,052
[man] Do you solemnly swear...
876
00:42:09,136 --> 00:42:11,969
[Foster] In the FBI,
we have a saying.
877
00:42:12,052 --> 00:42:13,595
"Everyone talks."
878
00:42:13,678 --> 00:42:16,219
Eventually,
everyone will talk.
879
00:42:16,303 --> 00:42:18,595
- I do.
- Please be seated.
880
00:42:18,678 --> 00:42:21,802
[man] You've talked here
often and eloquently
881
00:42:21,886 --> 00:42:26,011
about the need for a democratic
outcome in Nicaragua.
882
00:42:26,094 --> 00:42:28,802
There's no disagreement
on that.
883
00:42:28,886 --> 00:42:32,303
There is disagreement over how
best to achieve that objective.
884
00:42:32,386 --> 00:42:34,386
It's hard to imagine anything
885
00:42:34,470 --> 00:42:36,969
that would give
our allies more cause
886
00:42:37,052 --> 00:42:39,636
to consider us unreliable
887
00:42:39,720 --> 00:42:42,761
than that we say
one thing in public
888
00:42:42,844 --> 00:42:46,219
and secretly do the opposite,
889
00:42:46,303 --> 00:42:48,052
and that's exactly
what was done
890
00:42:48,136 --> 00:42:50,636
when arms were sold to Iran
891
00:42:50,720 --> 00:42:53,927
and arms were swapped
for hostages.
892
00:42:54,011 --> 00:42:56,802
[Nields] We do live in
a democracy, don't we?
893
00:42:56,886 --> 00:42:58,386
[North] We do, sir.
Thank God.
894
00:42:58,470 --> 00:43:00,595
[Nields]
In which it is the people,
895
00:43:00,678 --> 00:43:03,553
not one Marine
Lieutenant Colonel,
896
00:43:03,636 --> 00:43:06,636
that get to decide
the important policy decisions
897
00:43:06,720 --> 00:43:09,386
for the nation.
898
00:43:09,470 --> 00:43:12,636
[Byrne] Ollie North
was at the heart
899
00:43:12,720 --> 00:43:16,844
of turning the whole scenario
upside down,
900
00:43:16,927 --> 00:43:20,511
and North proceeded
for the next several days
901
00:43:20,595 --> 00:43:24,178
to put the committees
entirely on the defensive
902
00:43:24,261 --> 00:43:26,844
and to make himself out,
at least to his supporters,
903
00:43:26,927 --> 00:43:29,011
as the hero.
904
00:43:29,094 --> 00:43:31,428
For him, the mission
was what was critical.
905
00:43:31,511 --> 00:43:36,219
How you accomplished it
was almost unimportant.
906
00:43:36,303 --> 00:43:38,678
♪♪♪
907
00:43:38,761 --> 00:43:41,886
Like with so much
on this scandal,
908
00:43:41,969 --> 00:43:45,636
half of the country
was repelled by that,
909
00:43:45,720 --> 00:43:48,011
and half of the country
just thought this was
910
00:43:48,094 --> 00:43:49,678
the greatest thing ever.
911
00:43:49,761 --> 00:43:53,052
Ollie had done
the Lord's work
912
00:43:53,136 --> 00:43:55,344
and done
the president's bidding.
913
00:43:55,428 --> 00:43:59,927
And why is he being held up
as accountable for all this?
914
00:44:00,011 --> 00:44:03,678
I still to this day, counsel,
don't see anything wrong
915
00:44:03,761 --> 00:44:06,011
with taking
the ayatollah's money
916
00:44:06,094 --> 00:44:09,178
and sending it to support the
Nicaraguan freedom fighters.
917
00:44:09,261 --> 00:44:11,136
[crowd] North, American hero!
918
00:44:11,219 --> 00:44:13,178
North, American hero!
919
00:44:13,261 --> 00:44:16,761
[Byrne] Olliemania was
what resulted from this.
920
00:44:16,844 --> 00:44:19,511
Ollie, Ollie, he's our man!
He's the hero of our land!
921
00:44:19,595 --> 00:44:20,969
[Maher] He has served
on Ronald Reagan's
922
00:44:21,052 --> 00:44:23,052
National Security Council,
923
00:44:23,136 --> 00:44:25,303
the host of The Oliver North
Radio Show, Oliver North.
924
00:44:25,386 --> 00:44:26,678
[cheers and applause]
925
00:44:26,761 --> 00:44:29,470
There's the Colonel.
926
00:44:29,553 --> 00:44:32,886
So you--you really are
Oliver North.
927
00:44:32,969 --> 00:44:35,386
To the best of
my recollection, yes.
928
00:44:35,470 --> 00:44:36,886
[North] I'm running for Senate
929
00:44:36,969 --> 00:44:38,761
because Washington's
out of control,
930
00:44:38,844 --> 00:44:42,303
and we need
to make some changes.
931
00:44:42,386 --> 00:44:43,761
[man] His prosecutors
said he was a cross
932
00:44:43,844 --> 00:44:45,595
between Hitler and Joe Isuzu.
933
00:44:45,678 --> 00:44:47,886
A clumsy fanatic.
If you agree, vote no.
934
00:44:47,969 --> 00:44:49,886
His supporters see a loyal
and dedicated Marine
935
00:44:49,969 --> 00:44:52,344
sacrificing himself for
his president and his country.
936
00:44:52,428 --> 00:44:54,178
If you agree,
vote yes for "Pardon."
937
00:44:54,261 --> 00:44:57,011
Oliver North, hero, villain,
criminal or patriot?
938
00:44:57,094 --> 00:44:58,344
What do you think?
939
00:44:58,428 --> 00:45:01,470
North was a dangerous fool,
940
00:45:01,553 --> 00:45:05,969
who was given a dangerous
amount of power.
941
00:45:06,052 --> 00:45:09,303
He was a zealot,
942
00:45:09,386 --> 00:45:11,553
and such men are dangerous.
943
00:45:11,636 --> 00:45:13,219
♪ uneasy music ♪
944
00:45:13,303 --> 00:45:15,386
[man] Do you remember
shredding documents
945
00:45:15,470 --> 00:45:18,720
when the representatives of
the Attorney General's office
946
00:45:18,802 --> 00:45:21,844
had left for their lunch?
947
00:45:21,927 --> 00:45:23,595
I remember shredding documents
948
00:45:23,678 --> 00:45:26,011
while they were in there
reading documents.
949
00:45:26,094 --> 00:45:28,011
[man] Shredding them
in their presence?
950
00:45:28,094 --> 00:45:29,927
[North] Well, I mean,
they were sitting in my office,
951
00:45:30,011 --> 00:45:31,969
and the shredder
was right outside,
952
00:45:32,052 --> 00:45:34,011
and I walked out
and shredded documents.
953
00:45:34,094 --> 00:45:39,011
[Byrne] He was known as
a serial exaggerator.
954
00:45:39,094 --> 00:45:43,386
He lied routinely
to colleagues, to supervisors.
955
00:45:43,470 --> 00:45:46,219
He certainly lied to Congress.
956
00:45:46,303 --> 00:45:48,761
I will tell you right now,
counsel,
957
00:45:48,844 --> 00:45:51,219
and all the members
here gathered
958
00:45:51,303 --> 00:45:54,136
that I misled the Congress.
959
00:45:54,219 --> 00:45:57,428
[Byrne] As soon
as North realized
960
00:45:57,511 --> 00:45:59,886
that he might face jail time,
961
00:45:59,969 --> 00:46:01,636
that there might be actual
962
00:46:01,720 --> 00:46:04,094
criminal consequences
for what he did,
963
00:46:04,178 --> 00:46:07,428
he made sure to portray
what he did
964
00:46:07,511 --> 00:46:11,178
as being on orders
of Ronald Reagan.
965
00:46:11,261 --> 00:46:13,844
I did a lot of things
and wanted to stand up and say
966
00:46:13,927 --> 00:46:15,470
that I'm proud of them.
967
00:46:15,553 --> 00:46:18,136
I don't want you to think,
counsel,
968
00:46:18,219 --> 00:46:20,927
that I went about this
all on my own.
969
00:46:21,011 --> 00:46:25,927
♪♪♪
970
00:46:27,344 --> 00:46:29,428
[man] A lot of questions
unresolved
971
00:46:29,511 --> 00:46:32,886
and not yet even posed.
972
00:46:32,969 --> 00:46:35,678
We will want to know a lot
more about the question of:
973
00:46:35,761 --> 00:46:37,553
on what authority did he act?
974
00:46:37,636 --> 00:46:39,052
[radio tuning]
[gavel banging]
975
00:46:39,136 --> 00:46:42,553
♪ tense music ♪
976
00:46:42,636 --> 00:46:46,844
The hearing will please
come to order.
977
00:46:46,927 --> 00:46:48,636
[Byrne] Everybody was
anxiously waiting
978
00:46:48,720 --> 00:46:50,303
during the congressional
hearings
979
00:46:50,386 --> 00:46:52,344
for Poindexter to say
980
00:46:52,428 --> 00:46:54,178
whether or not he had
ever told the president
981
00:46:54,261 --> 00:46:56,428
about the diversion.
982
00:46:56,511 --> 00:46:58,761
♪♪♪
983
00:46:58,844 --> 00:47:01,927
He was the guy who saw
the president the most often
984
00:47:02,011 --> 00:47:06,303
and dealt with him most
directly on Iran-Contra.
985
00:47:06,386 --> 00:47:08,470
I think it's--you know,
an important point here
986
00:47:08,553 --> 00:47:13,136
is that on this whole issue,
987
00:47:13,219 --> 00:47:15,303
you know, the buck stops
here with me.
988
00:47:15,386 --> 00:47:17,553
I made the decision.
989
00:47:17,636 --> 00:47:19,678
I--I felt that I had
the authority to do it.
990
00:47:19,761 --> 00:47:21,927
I thought it was a good idea.
991
00:47:22,011 --> 00:47:25,344
I was convinced that
the president would,
992
00:47:25,428 --> 00:47:29,052
in the end,
think it was a good idea,
993
00:47:29,136 --> 00:47:33,761
but I did not want him to be
associated with the decision.
994
00:47:33,844 --> 00:47:38,178
[Byrne] Poindexter was someone
who unhesitatingly
995
00:47:38,261 --> 00:47:42,136
took responsibility
for his actions onto himself
996
00:47:42,219 --> 00:47:46,261
and in fact took the burden
of the potential guilt
997
00:47:46,344 --> 00:47:48,720
of Ronald Reagan
on himself as well.
998
00:47:48,802 --> 00:47:51,178
[man] And so the answer is
you did not tell
999
00:47:51,261 --> 00:47:52,886
the President
of the United States?
1000
00:47:52,969 --> 00:47:56,178
I did not.
1001
00:47:56,261 --> 00:47:58,511
[Byrne] Poindexter turned out
to be a lot more loyal
1002
00:47:58,595 --> 00:48:02,303
to Ronald Reagan
than Oliver North was.
1003
00:48:02,386 --> 00:48:06,886
Loyalty designed
to protect the president
1004
00:48:06,969 --> 00:48:09,386
from serious
political fallout.
1005
00:48:09,470 --> 00:48:13,428
♪ intense music ♪
1006
00:48:13,511 --> 00:48:16,720
[Coulson] In Watergate,
people gave up the president.
1007
00:48:16,802 --> 00:48:18,802
The people that were there
1008
00:48:18,886 --> 00:48:21,470
basically had no intention
to protect Nixon.
1009
00:48:21,553 --> 00:48:23,886
- Daughter [indistinct].
- Hi, nice to meet you.
1010
00:48:23,969 --> 00:48:25,595
It's nice to meet you.
1011
00:48:25,678 --> 00:48:27,011
[Coulson] The difference
between Watergate
1012
00:48:27,094 --> 00:48:30,886
and Iran-Contra--
we never got to Reagan.
1013
00:48:30,969 --> 00:48:32,511
♪♪♪
1014
00:48:32,595 --> 00:48:34,094
[woman]
And finally, Mr. President,
1015
00:48:34,178 --> 00:48:36,303
about the Iran-Nicaraguan
connection,
1016
00:48:36,386 --> 00:48:37,969
some may wonder
which was worse,
1017
00:48:38,052 --> 00:48:40,553
your knowing
or your not knowing.
1018
00:48:40,636 --> 00:48:45,094
Well, all I can say is
I didn't know.
1019
00:48:45,178 --> 00:48:48,011
And, well, we're trying
to find out what happened,
1020
00:48:48,094 --> 00:48:51,011
because none of us know.
1021
00:48:51,094 --> 00:48:52,802
[laughter]
1022
00:48:52,886 --> 00:48:55,927
To a certain degree,
Reagan benefitted
1023
00:48:56,011 --> 00:48:59,011
from the image that
many people had of him
1024
00:48:59,094 --> 00:49:01,303
as kind of the amiable dunce.
1025
00:49:01,386 --> 00:49:02,678
Back to work!
1026
00:49:02,761 --> 00:49:05,595
[laughter and applause]
1027
00:49:05,678 --> 00:49:08,094
[Byrne] That actually played
to his advantage
1028
00:49:08,178 --> 00:49:11,553
when it came to the
plausibility of his denials.
1029
00:49:11,636 --> 00:49:13,428
♪ tense music ♪
1030
00:49:13,511 --> 00:49:15,386
[Glasser] I think about this
and I think,
1031
00:49:15,470 --> 00:49:18,678
is this the way we want
our government to run?
1032
00:49:18,761 --> 00:49:21,595
It should be transparent.
It should be accountable.
1033
00:49:21,678 --> 00:49:24,844
When there's
a special operation,
1034
00:49:24,927 --> 00:49:27,761
you can do that, but you
need to advise Congress.
1035
00:49:27,844 --> 00:49:29,219
You can't just do it
in a vacuum.
1036
00:49:29,303 --> 00:49:31,386
We have a process.
1037
00:49:31,470 --> 00:49:34,011
Our institutions have survived
1038
00:49:34,094 --> 00:49:36,595
this long for a reason.
1039
00:49:36,678 --> 00:49:39,136
We can't just, like,
be fast and loose
1040
00:49:39,219 --> 00:49:42,178
with the rules here.
1041
00:49:42,261 --> 00:49:45,094
I want my government to be
at least as good as me.
1042
00:49:45,178 --> 00:49:49,678
♪ dramatic music ♪
1043
00:49:49,761 --> 00:49:53,052
[Weiner] Dick Cheney, then
a congressman from Wyoming,
1044
00:49:53,136 --> 00:49:57,720
held the point of view that
in matters of foreign policy
1045
00:49:57,802 --> 00:50:01,470
and any time of crisis,
1046
00:50:01,553 --> 00:50:04,178
the powers of the presidency
1047
00:50:04,261 --> 00:50:08,511
are above and beyond
what any of us might think
1048
00:50:08,595 --> 00:50:11,094
would be a limit.
1049
00:50:11,178 --> 00:50:15,844
He was more like a king than
the president we think of.
1050
00:50:15,927 --> 00:50:19,470
If you don't obey the laws
that are put in place
1051
00:50:19,553 --> 00:50:22,678
to keep all of us
on the up and up,
1052
00:50:22,761 --> 00:50:24,761
then where are you?
1053
00:50:24,844 --> 00:50:26,844
A few months ago,
I told the American people
1054
00:50:26,927 --> 00:50:29,969
I did not trade arms
for hostages.
1055
00:50:30,052 --> 00:50:33,595
My heart and my best intentions
still tell me that's true,
1056
00:50:33,678 --> 00:50:36,303
but the facts and the evidence
tell me it is not.
1057
00:50:36,386 --> 00:50:39,844
[crowd cheering,
dog barking]
1058
00:50:39,927 --> 00:50:42,470
What began as a strategic
opening to Iran
1059
00:50:42,553 --> 00:50:44,844
deteriorated
in its implementation
1060
00:50:44,927 --> 00:50:49,636
into trading arms
for hostages.
1061
00:50:49,720 --> 00:50:52,344
[Byrne] The president suffered
some temporary drops
1062
00:50:52,428 --> 00:50:54,303
in his approval rankings,
1063
00:50:54,386 --> 00:50:58,761
and he left office
on a high note.
1064
00:50:58,844 --> 00:51:02,678
The vice president
was seriously implicated
1065
00:51:02,761 --> 00:51:04,720
on both sides of the scandal
1066
00:51:04,802 --> 00:51:06,595
but went on to be elected
president.
1067
00:51:06,678 --> 00:51:09,386
For an endless,
enduring dream
1068
00:51:09,470 --> 00:51:11,636
and a thousand
points of light.
1069
00:51:11,720 --> 00:51:14,470
[Byrne] Poindexter
was found guilty.
1070
00:51:14,553 --> 00:51:16,511
His case was appealed,
1071
00:51:16,595 --> 00:51:20,386
and the court dropped
any further proceedings.
1072
00:51:20,470 --> 00:51:23,094
The same thing more or less
happened to Oliver North.
1073
00:51:23,178 --> 00:51:25,595
[woman] North was convicted
on several counts in 1989,
1074
00:51:25,678 --> 00:51:29,428
but those convictions were
overturned two years later.
1075
00:51:29,511 --> 00:51:33,886
[Byrne] Six individuals were
about to be put on trial,
1076
00:51:33,969 --> 00:51:37,636
but were pardoned
by President Bush
1077
00:51:37,720 --> 00:51:40,178
on Christmas Eve, 1992.
1078
00:51:40,261 --> 00:51:43,011
♪♪♪
1079
00:51:43,094 --> 00:51:46,428
[man] President Bush's pardon
of Iran-Contra defendants
1080
00:51:46,511 --> 00:51:48,470
undermines the principle
1081
00:51:48,553 --> 00:51:52,011
that no man is above the law.
1082
00:51:52,094 --> 00:51:55,969
It demonstrates
that powerful people
1083
00:51:56,052 --> 00:51:59,844
with powerful allies
can commit serious crimes
1084
00:51:59,927 --> 00:52:01,553
in high office.
1085
00:52:01,636 --> 00:52:03,761
[overlapping chatter]
1086
00:52:06,511 --> 00:52:10,219
[Byrne] If you are popular
enough as a president
1087
00:52:10,303 --> 00:52:15,219
or if you can command
a base effectively,
1088
00:52:15,303 --> 00:52:17,261
you can get away with a lot.
1089
00:52:17,344 --> 00:52:19,886
[Trump] The people,
my people are so smart.
1090
00:52:19,969 --> 00:52:21,636
And you know what else
they say about my people?
1091
00:52:21,720 --> 00:52:23,761
The polls, they say I have
the most loyal people.
1092
00:52:23,844 --> 00:52:25,595
Did you ever see that?
1093
00:52:25,678 --> 00:52:27,428
Where I could stand
in the middle of 5th Avenue
1094
00:52:27,511 --> 00:52:29,636
and shoot somebody, and I
wouldn't lose any voters, okay?
1095
00:52:29,720 --> 00:52:31,802
It's, like, incredible.
1096
00:52:31,886 --> 00:52:33,678
[man] From President Trump,
1097
00:52:33,761 --> 00:52:35,969
a vision of unlimited
presidential power,
1098
00:52:36,052 --> 00:52:38,136
tweeting about
the Russia investigation.
1099
00:52:38,219 --> 00:52:41,052
"I have the absolute right
to pardon myself."
1100
00:52:41,136 --> 00:52:44,969
♪ tense music ♪
1101
00:52:45,052 --> 00:52:46,844
[Byrne] The lesson
from Watergate
1102
00:52:46,927 --> 00:52:49,428
that we came away with was,
1103
00:52:49,511 --> 00:52:53,386
yes, our highest officials
had broken the law,
1104
00:52:53,470 --> 00:52:56,136
but they had been brought
to account.
1105
00:52:56,219 --> 00:52:59,761
The good guys had won,
the cavalry had come.
1106
00:52:59,844 --> 00:53:02,219
But I think after Iran-Contra,
1107
00:53:02,303 --> 00:53:05,136
you--you had
a very different outcome.
1108
00:53:05,219 --> 00:53:08,011
It is possible to get away
with wrongdoing.
1109
00:53:08,094 --> 00:53:10,386
♪♪♪
1110
00:53:10,470 --> 00:53:12,178
What's to stop any president
1111
00:53:12,261 --> 00:53:15,011
from doing whatever
they want to do?
1112
00:53:15,094 --> 00:53:20,011
♪♪♪
1113
00:53:25,802 --> 00:53:28,678
♪ dramatic music ♪
1114
00:53:28,761 --> 00:53:33,927
♪♪♪
85396
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