Skip to main content

25th Amendment Almost Invoked After Reagan Shot

1981

On March 30, President Ronald Reagan is shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside a hotel in Washington, D.C., and nearly dies of blood loss. In the White House, the president’s advisers discuss invoking the 25th Amendment, but, in the end, reject the idea. Upon hearing the news, Secretary of State Alexander Haig claims that he is “in charge” until Vice President George H.W. Bush flies back to Washington.