What was a controversial action taken by individuals in Reagan's administration during the Iran-Contra scandal?

The Iran-Contra scandal involved a covert operation where individuals within Reagan's administration engaged in the illegal sale of weapons to Iran, despite an arms embargo. The rationale behind this action was to secure the release of American hostages held by Iranian-backed groups and to generate funding for the Contras, a rebel group fighting against the Sandinista government in Nicaragua. This contravened both U.S. law and the Boland Amendment, which prohibited aiding the Contras. The gravity and secrecy of these actions led to significant political backlash and legal investigations, highlighting the controversy surrounding the administration's methods in foreign policy and military support.

In this context, this choice accurately reflects a key aspect of the scandal that drew widespread criticism and concern over executive overreach and the circumvention of Congress.