"I was authorized to do everything that I did"

In this quote, Oliver North is specifying that he had consent to perform all of his actions. As a former United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and National Security Council staff member, North was associated with the Iran-Contra affair in the 1980s. This scandal included the illegal sale of weapons to Iran in exchange for the release of American captives, and making use of the revenues to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua. In spite of the debate surrounding his actions, North is asserting that he had the authority to do everything he did, indicating that he was following orders from greater authorities. This quote highlights the complex and controversial nature of the Iran-Contra affair and North's function in it.