The government official who suggested the idea of violating the Boland Amendment was Oliver North. Oliver North was a key figure in the Iran-Contra affair during the Reagan administration. He was involved in secretly facilitating the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for the release of hostages and diverting the proceeds to support Contra rebels in Nicaragua, which violated the Boland Amendment. This Amendment prohibited the U.S. government from providing military assistance to the Contras.
Oliver North's actions in circumventing the Boland Amendment led to a significant political scandal and hearings in Congress. Despite the controversy surrounding his involvement, he gained notoriety for his role in the affair.
