Richard Nixon convinced the S. Vietnamese government not to negotiate with the US and the Communist North because he could get them a better deal when he was elected President.

Ronald Reagan tried to sell weapons to Islamic terrorists in Iran to raise money to conduct a war in Nicaragua against a legally elected government in direct violation of a direct order from Congress not to do so.

American Presidents have always felt they had a right to do treasonable acts if it meant fighting Communism. Of course, the Russians aren't Communist now, but...what the hell. Business is business, right?