Washington, D.C.1At 9: 00 a.m. on July 7, 987, a soldier wearing a marine officer's uniform and a medal on his chest strode into the hearing of a joint congressional investigation committee. The reporters of the major TV networks present immediately pointed their cameras at him, and about 50 million viewers were waiting to see his camera. He is Lieutenant Colonel North. This is his first time to attend a congressional hearing. When the host announced the official start of the hearing, North stood up, raised his right hand and swore an oath to the special investigation committee of Congress. Unexpectedly, this image fascinated the American public, and soon a "northern hot whirlwind" was blown up.

As you can see from TV, in the face of a series of questions, North seems very calm, Kan Kan said. This is in stark contrast to his depressed, nervous and faltering expression when he testified in Congress seven months ago. For the first time, the American audience saw an impassioned and eloquent defense of the transfer of money from the US-Iraq arms deal to the Nicaraguan rebels. North said that he had never directly talked with President Reagan about transferring arms sales to Nicaraguan rebels, and he had never seen President Reagan's document approving this action. He said he didn't shield President Reagan. He emphasized that everything he did was approved by his superiors and was for the benefit of the country. He also publicly criticized Congress: "I think these hearings have caused serious losses to the interests of our country, made relatives suffer and made the enemy quick." "Dear Councillors, you are both players and referees, and the result will always be that you win." North became more and more excited, and the audience cheered from time to time.

After six days of hearing, "Cowboy Lieutenant Colonel" North became a star that attracted people's attention in one fell swoop and was called "a typical tough guy". USA-Today creatively set up a "northern hotline". As a result, during the four days from July 7th to 10, it received 67,000 phone calls, of which 59,000 thought the north was honest and credible. Some young people even made a badge with North's head engraved with: "North: National Hero." Some people even put up placards asking North to run for the next president. Some people regard the north as their own mate selection criteria. Hollywood directors are planning how to use North's story to make a movie. All kinds of strange things followed, forming a unique "northern phenomenon."

When most Americans haven't calmed down from the "northland fever", another key figure, John poindexter, appeared again. North testified that all his actions were authorized by his superiors. Therefore, as North's superior, poindexter's testimony is particularly important. Poindexter is calm, hardworking and smart. He played a key role in the Reagan administration's handling of some major foreign affairs.

On the morning of July 15, poindexter appeared as a witness. He is not as calm as his little North. On the contrary, he seems a little scared. He said that he never reported to President Reagan that the proceeds from arms sales to Iran were used to help the Nicaraguan rebels, but he personally approved it. "If I had asked him, he would have agreed to the decision." "I think it's a good idea, and I firmly believe that the president will also think it's a good idea." He said that he had to hide it from the president, because Reagan had "the possibility of denial" to prevent it from leaking out in the future, so as to protect the president from "political damage."

Poindexter's testimony greatly relieved the White House, and it was another village for Reagan. Reagan is said to have shrugged his shoulders and said, "What news is this? I have been saying this for seven months. " After North and Boyndexter, key cabinet members Schultz, Mies, Weinberg and others attended the ceremony one after another, but there was nothing new. Thus, the "Iran Gate" hearing, which lasted for 1 1 week, officially ended on1August 3, 987. Although many mysteries in people's minds have not been answered, and although parliamentarians are still not satisfied with the results, it can be said that the storm has passed.

1987165438+1October 18, the special investigation committees of both houses of the US Congress issued the final official investigation report. This 690-page report describes the ins and outs of the Iran-contra incident in detail, exposing the duplicity of senior government officials' decision-making, concealing facts, deceiving the public and criticizing laws and laws. According to the report, Reagan failed to perform the duties entrusted to him by the Constitution, so he should bear substantial responsibility for the "Iran-contra" incident. Although the investigation Committee did not get direct evidence to prove that President Reagan intentionally deceived Congress and the American public, President Reagan's actions and remarks were suspected of fraud.

The publication of this investigation report marked the end of the investigation of the "Iran-contra" incident, and then the case was handed over to the US judicial authorities for further trial. The congressional investigation lasted 1 1 month and cost nearly 8 million US dollars. More than 500 testimonies were heard in a marathon and more than 300,000 documents were consulted. In American history, it is rare for a congressional investigation to be so exciting and costly.