Participants in the Iran-Contra Affair
Who pardoned them: George H.W. Bush
What they were pardoned for: Illegal arms dealing
Why it was controversial: Under President Reagan, officials secretly facilitated the sale of arms to Iran while Iran was under an arms embargo. The pardon was granted to six officials for their participation, most shockingly to Secretary Caspar Weinberger, whose trial hadn’t even begun, an unprecedented move at the time. It was seen as an administration knowingly breaking the law, then maneuvering to avoid any consequences.