Ethan Rhodes
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. He was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he underwent surgery and recovered from a broken rib, a punctured lung, and internal bleeding. At the time of the assassination attempt, Reagan was in his first term as the 40th president of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1989. With Reagan in surgery and Vice President George H.W. Bush out of town, Secretary of State Alexander Haig asserted that he was in control here at the White House. This incident marked a critical juncture where Reagan's cabinet had to consider invoking the 25th Amendment, which addresses presidential succession and disability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of assassination attempt | March 30, 1981 |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Location of the incident | Outside the Washington Hilton Hotel |
| Gunman | John Hinckley Jr. |
| Number of shots fired | 6 |
| People injured | White House Press Secretary James Brady, Metropolitan Police Officer Thomas Delahanty, and Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy |
| Hospital | George Washington University Hospital |
| President's injuries | Broken rib, punctured lung, internal bleeding |
| President's condition | "Right on the margin of death" |
| Secretary of State | Alexander Haig |
| Vice President | George H. W. Bush |
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What You'll Learn
Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots from the crowd as Reagan was nearing his limousine. One of the bullets hit Reagan in the chest, just two inches away from his heart. It caused a broken rib, punctured a lung, and caused internal bleeding.
Reagan was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he underwent emergency exploratory surgery. Doctors treated him with intravenous fluids, oxygen, tetanus toxoid, and chest tubes. Reagan's quick action and the decision to drive to the hospital instead of the White House likely saved his life. He was released from the hospital on April 11.
The assassination attempt raised questions about who was in control of the country. With the President in surgery and the Vice President, George H.W. Bush, on his way back to the White House from Texas, there was uncertainty within Reagan's cabinet. Secretary of State Alexander Haig asserted that he was “in control here” at the White House, despite not being next in the line of succession.
The discussion revolved around the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment, which clarifies the temporary filling of the Presidency if the President becomes disabled and cannot fulfill their responsibilities. However, Reagan's health improved, and he returned to work at the Oval Office about a month after the shooting.
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John Hinckley Jr. was the shooter
John Hinckley Jr. was the man who shot Ronald Reagan. On March 30, 1981, Hinckley fired six shots at Reagan as he returned to his limousine after a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton hotel. Reagan was seriously wounded by a bullet that ricocheted off the side of the presidential limousine and hit him in the left underarm, breaking a rib, puncturing a lung, and causing serious internal bleeding. He underwent emergency exploratory surgery at George Washington University Hospital and was released on April 11.
Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and remained under institutional psychiatric care for over three decades. He was motivated by an obsession with actress Jodie Foster, which began after watching her in Martin Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver." Hinckley identified with the film's protagonist, Travis Bickle, portrayed by Robert De Niro, who attempts to assassinate a United States senator who is running for president.
In the years leading up to the assassination attempt, Hinckley trailed Foster around the country, even enrolling in a writing course at Yale University after learning she was a student there. He wrote numerous letters and notes to her, and he called her twice. Hinckley's fixation on Foster and his desire to impress her were the driving forces behind his attack on Reagan.
The assassination attempt on Reagan had a significant impact on the nation. Shocked Americans gathered around television sets, and newspapers printed extra editions with gigantic headlines. The United States Senate adjourned, interrupting the debate on Reagan's economic proposals, and churches held prayer services. The Academy Awards ceremony, for which Reagan had taped a message, was postponed.
The shooting also had political ramifications. Reagan's Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, famously stated that he was “I am in control here” at the White House, despite not being next in the line of succession. The attempt on Reagan's life highlighted the importance of presidential security and the need for quick and effective emergency response.
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Reagan was right on the margin of death
On March 30, 1981, Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan was "right on the margin of death" when he arrived at George Washington University Hospital. The bullet that struck Reagan had ricocheted off the side of the presidential limousine and hit him in the left underarm, breaking a rib, puncturing a lung, and causing serious internal bleeding.
Reagan underwent emergency exploratory surgery at the hospital, where doctors discovered that he had been shot in the chest, the bullet landing just two inches away from his heart. The quick actions of the medical team, including Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) Jerry Parr, who made the decision to divert the presidential motorcade to the hospital instead of returning to the White House, likely saved Reagan's life.
Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Reagan remained conscious and alert during the initial moments after the shooting. He even joked with his wife, Nancy Reagan, upon her arrival at the emergency department, borrowing a line from the boxer Jack Dempsey: "Honey, I forgot to duck." Reagan also quipped to the medical team in the operating room, "I hope you are all Republicans." The doctors and nurses laughed, and one of the doctors, a Democrat, replied, "Today, Mr. President, we are all Republicans."
Reagan's post-operative course was complicated by a fever, which was treated with antibiotics. However, due to his excellent physical health and the relatively small caliber of the bullet that struck him, he made a swift recovery. Reagan was released from the hospital on April 11 and was able to return to work at the Oval Office a month later. The attempt on Reagan's life is a significant event in American history, and the nation marked the 40th anniversary of the assassination attempt in April 2021.
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Reagan's cabinet discussed the 25th Amendment
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton. He was rushed to surgery at George Washington University Hospital. Reagan had suffered a broken rib, a punctured lung, and internal bleeding.
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, Reagan's cabinet discussed the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment. The 25th Amendment had been passed after the assassination of President Kennedy to clarify the procedure in the event of the death, removal, or resignation of the President or Vice President. It also outlined how the Presidency could be temporarily filled if the President became disabled and could not fulfill their responsibilities.
Half of Reagan's cabinet sat in the Situation Room, while the other half was in a makeshift command center at the hospital. They debated whether the President would be able to do his job or if the 25th Amendment needed to be invoked. Ultimately, Reagan's cabinet decided not to invoke the 25th Amendment. Reagan regained consciousness that evening and continued his duties.
The decision not to invoke the 25th Amendment was controversial. Some, like Birch Bayh, argued that Section 4 should have been invoked. Physician to the President Daniel Ruge also admitted that he had erred by not having Reagan invoke Section 3, as Reagan's condition required general anesthesia and intensive care. However, Reagan himself disclaimed any use of the 25th Amendment, possibly out of fear of admitting to being disabled and setting a harmful precedent.
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Alexander Haig claimed to be in control
On March 30, 1981, Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton. Reagan underwent surgery and recovered from a broken rib, punctured lung, and internal bleeding.
Alexander Haig, the United States Secretary of State under President Reagan, stoked controversy when he asserted that he was ""in control" of the White House in the aftermath of the assassination attempt. Haig's exact words were, "I am in control here, in the White House, pending return of the vice president, and in close touch with him. If something came up, I would check with him, of course."
Haig's statement caused an uproar and invited speculation about his intentions. Some interpreted it as a weak attempt at a power grab or a political faux pas, while others questioned his understanding of the basic succession outlined in the U.S. Constitution's 25th Amendment. Haig later clarified that he was referring to the executive branch's role in running the government during the crisis and not the line of succession.
Haig's directive and command-and-control tone reflected his military background and the leadership style prevalent in business and politics at the time. Interpretations of his comment vary; some suggest he was simply trying to convey that he was holding down the fort temporarily and assuring citizens, allies, and enemies that the leadership of the United States was stable and secure.
Haig's controversial remark factored into his eventual resignation from Reagan's cabinet in July 1982.
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Frequently asked questions
Ronald Reagan was the president at the time of his hospitalization.
Ronald Reagan was hospitalized on March 30, 1981, after being shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Reagan suffered a broken rib, a punctured lung, and internal bleeding. He underwent surgery and recovered quickly.
Alexander Haig was the Secretary of State at the time of the assassination attempt on Reagan. Haig claimed that he was “in control” at the White House until Vice President George H.W. Bush returned to Washington.
The assassination attempt raised questions about presidential succession and the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which outlines procedures for filling the presidency if the president becomes disabled. Reagan recovered quickly and was able to continue his duties as president.
