Six Shots at a Nation's Heart

By Ed Magnuson Monday, Apr. 13, 1981

    • April 13, 1981 TIME Cover: Moment of Madness
    What Happened — and Why • Can It Never Be Stopped?

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    President goes into surgery and goes under anesthesia, would Vice President Bush become the acting President at the moment or under what circumstances does he?" Replied Speakes, who was not prepared for the question: "I cannot answer that question at this time." Watching, Haig sent a note to Speakes. It said, in effect: "Get off the air." The delivery of the note alarmed reporters present, particularly when Speakes understandably refused to dis close its contents and left the rostrum.

    Haig felt that any uncertainty over who was in charge could be dangerous.

    He rushed upstairs to the briefing room and tried to convey a sense of calm. In stead, he was perspiring, his voice shook, and his hands trembled. He assured reporters that there was no command vacancy, that communications were open with the Vice President, and that no spe- cial military-alert measures were necessary. But then he blundered. Asked, "Who's making the decisions?" he replied:

    "Constitutionally, gentlemen, you have the President, the Vice President and the Secretary of State in that order and should the President decide he wants to transfer the helm to the Vice President, he will do so. He has not done that. As of now, I am in control here, in the White House, pending return of the Vice President."

    That, of course, is not the constitutional order of succession; both the Speaker of the House and the President pro tern of the Senate, as elected officials, rank ahead of the Secretary of State. Perhaps realizing his mistake, Haig was annoyed minutes later when Weinberger interrupted Haig's discussion in the Situation Room about the succession provisions of the 25th Amendment. With a slight edge in his voice, Weinberger said jokingly, "Al, we already heard you explain your view of the Constitution." Haig stopped and glared at the Defense Secretary. "You should check the Constitution," Haig replied. Everyone in the room sensed the tension. Then the moment passed.

    Far more soothing to a wondering nation was the surprisingly agile and articulate medical briefing at George Washington University Hospital. It was given by Dr. Dennis O'Leary, a former Marine major who has taught medicine at George Washington since 1973 and is now dean for clinical affairs. Handling repetitive and sometimes inane questions with precision and amiability, O'Leary insisted that the President "was at no time in any serious danger. He has a clear head and should be able to make decisions by tomorrow."

    At Washington police headquarters, Hinckley, sweating but mostly silent, was held in a third-floor homicide squad room while federal and local officials decided who had jurisdiction in his case. The feds won, and Hinckley was photo graphed and fingerprint ed by the FBI. At 11:52 p.m. the heavily guarded Hinckley was whisked into a U.S. district courtroom to be charged formally with the attempted assassination of the President, a crime carrying a maximum life sentence upon conviction, and assaulting a federal officer. Before dawn, he was moved into a small prison cell at the Marine Correctional Facility in Quantico, Va. Just two weeks ago

    Reagan had gone horseback riding at Quantico.

    Early Tuesday morning, Reagan asked about the man who had shot him, phrasing the question in his usual casual manner:

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