| Oliver North | |
| |
| President of the National Rifle Association | |
| Assumed office May 21, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Pete Brownell |
| United States Senator from Virginia | |
| In office January 3, 1995 - January 3, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Chuck Robb |
| Succeded by | Hillary Clinton |
| Biography | |
| Born | February 9th, 1946 San Antonio, Texas |
| Birth name | Oliver Laurence North |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Betsy North (married 1967); four children |
| Occupation | Soldier, Politician |
| Religion | Protestant |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch: | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1968–1990 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commands | Marine Corps Northern Training Area, Okinawa |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Silver Star Medal Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" Purple Heart Medal (2) Combat Action Ribbon Presidential Service Badge |
Oliver Laurence North (born October 7, 1943) is an American political commentator and television host, military historian, author, former United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, and former United States Senator from Virginia, serving from 1995-2001.
Since May 2018, North has been the President of the National Rifle Association.
Iran-Contra[]
North came to prominence during his term as a National Security Council staff member during the Iran–Contra affair, which involved the illegal sale of weapons to Iran to encourage the release of U.S. hostages held in Lebanon. North formed and orchestrated the second part of the plan, which was to divert proceeds from the arms sales to support the Contra rebel groups in Nicaragua, which had been specifically prohibited under federal law.
Speaking about the affair, North stated his lack of regret:
"I saw that idea of using the Ayatollah Khomeini’s money to support the Nicaraguan freedom fighters as a good one. I still do. I don’t think it was wrong. I think it was a neat idea and I’m here to accept responsibility for that which I did because I am proud of what we accomplished."
Senate Career[]
Elections[]
North served in the United States Senate for one term, defeating incumbent Senator Chuck Robb in 1994. He raised 20.3 million USD in a single year through direct mail solicitations, major donors, telemarketing, and fundraising events. About 16 million USD of that amount was from direct mail alone, making North the top political direct mail fundraiser in the country in that year.
During his bid for re-election, North losing his seat to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2000, even as fellow Republican George W. Bush carried the state in the Presidential election.
Tenure[]
During his tenure, he often butted heads with both the Clinton administration and the Republican Congressional leadership. However, he joined many of his colleagues in voting for the unsuccessful impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
Foreign Policy[]
North was an outspoken critic of President Clinton's foreign policy, calling it "incoherent." Among his disagreements with the administration, North opposed the Agreed Framework with North Korea, opposed normalizing trade relations with the People's Republic of China, and opposed Operation Uphold Democracy, which reinstated Jean-Bertrand Aristide as President of Haiti. However, he did support the administration's show of military force during the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.
Post-Senate Career[]
Following his defeat for re-election, North turned to a career in writing and commentary. From 2001 to 2016, North hosted War Stories with Oliver North on Fox News Channel.
He initially supported South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham's 2016 bid for the Republican Presidential nomination, before supporting the eventual nominee, New York businessman and reality star Donald Trump.
In October 2017, North was hired as a military and foreign policy analyst for the Trump News Network.
National Rifle Association[]
On May 7th, 2018, the National Rifle Association announced that North would become the organization's next President, succeeding Pete Brownell.