Malcolm Byrne

“Ironically, even the torrent of media coverage figured as an additional reason, creating a kind of scandal fatigue as allegations surfaced, often in the form of anonymous leaks, and were initially spun by an administration under intense political heat, then dismissed as “old news” when later confirmed by hard evidence.”
― Malcolm Byrne, Iran-Contra: Reagan's Scandal and the Unchecked Abuse of Presidential Power

“Between November and December 1985, the Iran initiative reached its nadir. Despite the failure of the Iranian middlemen to obtain freedom for the hostages as promised after the first TOW shipments, Washington and Tel Aviv persuaded themselves they could turn the operation around. However, the next transaction—involving sophisticated antiaircraft missiles—imploded spectacularly after a series of logistical blunders and miscommunications. Worse, overeager U.S. officials crossed lines of operational and legal propriety, leading the CIA, among others, to protect not only itself but the president from charges serious enough to raise the prospect of impeachment. At a closely held White House meeting afterward, Ronald Reagan surprised his most senior aides by vowing to keep the operation alive regardless of the penalty.”
― Malcolm Byrne, Iran-Contra: Reagan's Scandal and the Unchecked Abuse of Presidential Power