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Assassination Attempt on Pres. 03/31/1981 [1 of 2]
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135838604
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Assassination Attempt on Pres. 03/31/1981 [1 of 2]
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Records of the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs (Reagan Administration)
Craig Fuller's Office Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual
collections.
Collection: Fuller, Craig: Files
Folder Title: Assassination Attempt on Pres.
03/31/1981 [1 of 2]
Box: OA 8978
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at:
[email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
WITHDRAWAL SHEET
Ronald Reagan Library
Collection: CABINET AFFAIRS, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF:
Archivist: kdb/kdb
Records
8978
File Folder: Assassination Attempt on Pres. 3/30/81 OA 9620.
Date: April 16, 1999
Str 10/14/11
DOCUMENT
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
NO. AND TYPE
+. memo
William Casey to James Baker, re events in Situation
-4/10/81
P3,F3
Room on 3/30/81 (p 1, photocopied onto page with
4/20/81 note from Craig Fuller) 1p
R 6/12/00 NLSF97-09812
#1
2. memo
complete copy of the memo described under item 1
4/10/81
P3, F3
(w/notations), 2p
R'
1. #2
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National security classified information [(a)(1) of the PRA].
F-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA].
P-2 Relating to appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRAJ.
F-2 Release could disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA].
the FOIA].
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial
F-3 Release would violate a Federal statue [(b)(3) of the FOIA].
information [(a)(4) of the PRA].
F-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President and his advisors, or
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA].
between such advisors [(a)(5) of the PRA].
F-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(a)(6) of
the FOIA].
the PRA].
F-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of
the FOIA].
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift.
F-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions
[(b)(8) of the FOIA].
F-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9)
of the FOIA].
THE WHITE HOUSE
For Craig Fuller
WASHINGTON
of Central Intelligence
4/20/81
gton. 20505
TO: Dick Darman
FROM:
CRAIG L. FULLER
10 April 1981
( ) FYI
( ) Comment
A. Baker III
sistant
DECLASSIFIED
What happened to
your report! I'd
NLS F97-09812#
be interested in
Cabinet member
BY MIn NARA, DATE 6/12/00
remarks.
the
on Room on
not done yot!
Landrafts or Post! the
at 2:40 p.m. on Monday, 30 March,
een shot at but he had not been
om the scene of the shooting safely
called and asked me to come over to the Situation Room at the White House
== other men had been hurt. Almost immediately, Dick Allen
the river and reach the Situation Room. There I learned that the President across
right away. I left immediately. It took about twenty minutes to get
had had been taken to George Washington Hospital. I learned also that Jim Brady
policeman had been hit and were in the hospital.
been hit in the head and that a Secret Service man and a Washington
Secretary of Defense, Dick Allen, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
2. When I arrived, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the
Counsellor to the President were there. The Attorney General reported the
assailant's name and said that he came from Evergreen, Colorado. I called
John McMahon, CIA's Deputy Director for Operations, to ask that a name check
of follow-up activities or reaction to the shooting that came in from
be made on John W. Hinckley, Evergreen, Colorado, and asked that any indication
forces around the world be phoned in to me in the Situation Room. We our informed
sent a flash message worldwide asking for any information that might bear on
the Secret Service that CIA had no information on Hinckley. In addition, CIA
the assassination attempt. Responses were passed immediately to the Secret
Service and FBI unevaluated. The Secretary of State was the senior Cabinet
officer present and functioned as chairman and sought to maintain order in
the discussion. This seemed to be by common consent. He and Jim Baker at
at the hospital.
the hospital were the contact points between the Cabinet and the developments
3. The Secretary of Defense consulted with those gathered in the
Situation Room as to what should be done about putting our military forces
on alert and took responsibility for any steps that were called for in that
respect. Notification of the families of the victims, arranging for their
For Craig Fuller
The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, C 20505
10 April 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Honorable James A. Baker III
Chief of Staff and Assistant
to the President
F47098/2#2
FROM:
William J. Casey
Mon
6/12/00
SUBJECT:
Events in the Situation Room on
30 March 1981
1. I was called out of a meeting at 2:40 p.m. on Monday, 30 March,
to be informed that the President had been shot at but he had not been
hit, and that he had been taken away from the scene of the shooting safely
but that three other men had been hurt. Almost immediately, Dick Allen
called and asked me to come over to the Situation Room at the White House
right away. I left immediately. It took about twenty minutes to get across
the river and reach the Situation Room. There I learned that the President
had been taken to George Washington Hospital. I learned also that Jim Brady
had been hit in the head and that a Secret Service man and a Washington
policeman had been hit and were in the hospital.
2. When I arrived, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the
Secretary of Defense, Dick Allen, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
Counsellor to the President were there. The Attorney General reported the
assailant's name and said that he came from Evergreen, Colorado. I called
John McMahon, CIA's Deputy Director for Operations, to ask that a name check
be made on John W. Hinckley, Evergreen, Colorado, and asked that any indication
of follow-up activities or reaction to the shooting that came in from our
forces around the world be phoned in to me in the Situation Room. We informed
the Secret Service that CIA had no information on Hinckley. In addition, CIA
sent a flash message worldwide asking for any information that might bear on
the assassination attempt. Responses were passed immediately to the Secret
Service and FBI unevaluated. The Secretary of State was the senior Cabinet
officer present and functioned as chairman and sought to maintain order in
the discussion. This seemed to be by common consent. He and Jim Baker at
the hospital were the contact points between the Cabinet and the developments
at the hospital.
3. The Secretary of Defense consulted with those gathered in the
Situation Room as to what should be done about putting our military forces
on alert and took responsibility for any steps that were called for in that
respect. Notification of the families of the victims, arranging for their
ARTHUR J. GOLDBERG
RESERVATION COPY
WALLE R
Charles Waller
We Can't Be Crippled Abroad, Even for a Few Hours
Thank God, President Reagan and
We lack a comparable authority in
not invoked, presumably because
ity. But some cannot. Had the Soviets
his men have been spared. We are,
a foreign affairs crisis.
the White House staff and cabinet of-
invaded Poland while President Rea
in light of our continuing opposition
True, Vice President Bush has
ficers conceived that the determina-
gan was under general anesthesia or
to hand gun control, a luckier nation
been designated as our crisis man-
tion of a temporary presidential
under medication for some days
than we deserve to be.
ager, whatever that term means. But,
disability would cause panic here
thereafter, the unresolved question
But, putting gun control aside,
this designation contemplates a
and abroad.
is who, in the executive branch,
there is a grave problem which re-
president able to act, to give policy
I disagree. It is simply inconceiv-
would be authorized to order the ap-
quires immediate attention.
directives and to supervise their im-
able that the president can exercise
propriate response, on our own, or
This problem is the absence of a
plementation. In other words, a
executive authority in a foreign af-
better still, in concert with our al-
carefully considered and articulated
chief executive to whom the man-
fairs crisis, such as the possibility of
lies.
foreign affairs command authority
ager is subordinate and must ac-
an imminent invasion in Poland,
I am confident that contingency
to function in the event of tempo-
count.'
while undergoing major surgery re-
papers exist. But, since we cannot bel
rary disability of a president.
If the president is unable to
quiring a general anesthetic and
sure of the exact nature of the final
We have such an authority with
perform these functions, there is a
sedative pain medication for some
action by the Soviets and their War
respect to the military. This author-
lacuna in foreign policy decision
days thereafter.
saw Pact allies, our response must be
ity, derived from the president's con-
making.
It would appear to me that such a
tailored to what they may do./Time
stitutional designation as
True also, we have the 25th
situation is more likely to arouse
may be of the essence. And only a
commander in chief of the armed
Amendment to the Constitution.
concern than the uncertainty of
fully alert president or a simîlarly
forces and the National Security Act
This amendment, in substance, pro-
who is in command and the credi-
alert and expressly. delegated surro-
of 1947, authorizes the president in
vides that when a president, tempo-
bility gap about the president's ca-
gate is in a position to issue the nec-
advance of an emergency to delegate
rarily or permanently, is unable to
pacity to make major decisions
essary policy directions.
authority over the military, when he
discharge the powers and duties of
under the given circumstances.
We have, it would appear, ruled
is unable to act, to the vice president,
his office, the vice president and a-
My apprehension, in this regard,
out military intervention in Poland.
the secretary of defense and to our
majority of the Cabinet shall desig-
surely is shared by the American
But there are a variety of other mea-
field commanders, in this order.
nate the vice president to be acting
people and by our allies and adver-
sures in our non-military arsenal
president. The amendment also
saries alike. Whatever their views,
some short-range, others long range
makes provisions for the president
they do not fail to understand the im-
Whatever the measures, it is of ut
Arthur Goldberg is former associ-
to resume his office when he is able
pact of a major operation.
most importance that Soviet inter.
ate justice of the Supreme Court, U.S.
to do so.
Almost all, governmental prob-
vention, if it occurs, be met with an
permanent representative to the
This amendment could have been
lems can, without serious
immediate response. And if we are to
United Nations, ambassador at large
invoked in the terrible case of the
consequences, await the president's
and secretary of labor.
shooting of President Reagan. It was
recovery from a temporary disabil-
See WE, A-14
The Washington Star
Comment
SUNDAY APRIL 12, 198
ARTHUR J. GOLDBERG
WAIIE
Charles Waller
We Can't Be Crippled Abroad, Even for a Few Hours
Thank God, President Reagan and
We lack a comparable authority in
not invoked, presumably because
ity. But some cannot. Had the Soviets
his men have been spared. We are,
a foreign affairs crisis.
the White House staff and cabinet of-
invaded Poland while President Rea-
in light of our continuing opposition
True, Vice President Bush has
ficers conceived that the determina-
gan was under general anesthesia or
to hand gun control, a luckier nation
been designated as our crisis man-
tion of a temporary presidential
under medication for some days
than we deserve to be.
ager, whatever that term means. But,
disability would cause panic here
thereafter, the unresolved question
But, putting gun control aside,
this designation contemplates a
and abroad.
is who, in the executive branch,
there is a grave problem which re-
president able to act, to give policy
I disagree. It is simply inconceiv-
would be authorized to order the ap-
quires immediate attention.
directives and to supervise their im-
able that the president can exercise
propriate response, on our own, or
This problem is the absence of a
plementation. In other words, a
executive authority in a foreign af-
better still, in concert with our al-
carefully considered and articulated
chief executive to whom the man-
fairs crisis, such as the possibility of
lies.
foreign affairs command authority
ager is subordinate and must ac-
an imminent invasion in Poland,
I am confident that contingency
to function in the event of tempo-
count.'
while undergoing major surgery re-
papers exist. But, since we cannot be
ΓaΓy disability of a president.
If the president is unable to
quiring a general anesthetic and
sure of the exact nature of the final
We have such an authority with
perform these functions, there is a
sedative pain medication for some
action by the Soviets and their War-
respect to the militarv. This author-
lacuna in foreign policy decision
days thereafter.
saw Pact allies, our response must be
The Washington Star
Comment
SUNDAY APRIL 1
ARTHUR J. GOLDBERG
Charles Waller
We Can't Be Crippled Abroad, Even for a Few Hours
Thank God, President Reagan and
We lack a comparable authority in
not invoked, presumably because
ity. But some cannot. Had the Soviets
his men have been spared. We are,
a foreign affairs crisis.
the White House staff and cabinet of-
invaded Poland while President Rea-
in light of our continuing opposition
True, Vice President Bush has
ficers conceived that the determina-
gan was under general anesthesia or
to hand gun control, a luckier nation
been designated as our crisis man-
tion of a temporary presidential
under medication for some days
than we deserve to be.
ager, whatever that term means. But,
disability would cause panic here
thereafter, the unresolved question
But, putting gun control aside,
this designation contemplates a
and abroad.
is who, in the executive branch,
there is a grave problem which re-
president able to act, to give policy
I disagree. It is simply inconceiv-
would be authorized to order the ap-
quires immediate attention.
directives and to supervise their im-
able that the president can exercise
propriate response, on our own. or
This problem is the absence of a
plementation. In other words, a
executive authority in a foreign af-
better still, in concert with our al-
carefully considered and articulated
chief executive to whom the man-
fairs crisis, such as the possibility of
lies.
foreign affairs cominand authority
ager is subordinate and must ac-
an imminent invasion in Poland,
I am confident that contingency
to function in the event of tempo-
count'
while undergoing major surgery re-
papers exist. But, since we cannot be
rary disability of a president.
If the president is unable to
quiring a general anesthetic and
sure of the exact nature of the final
We have such an authority with
perform these functions, there is a
sedative pain medication for some
action by the Soviets and their War-
respect to the military. This author-
lacuna in foreign policy decision
days thereafter.
saw Pact allies, our response must be
ity, derived from the president's con-
making.
It would appear to me that such a
tailored to what they may do., Time
stitutional designation as
True also, we have the 25th
situation is more likely to arouse
may be of the essence. And only a
commander in chief of the armed
Amendment to the Constitution.
concern than the uncertainty of
fully alert president or a similarly
forces and the National Security Act
This amendment, in substance, pro-
who is in command and the credi-
alert and expressly. delegated surro-
of 1947, authorizes the president in
vides that when a president, tempo-
bility gap about the president's ca-
gate is in a position to issue the nec-
advance of an emergency to delegate
rarily or permanently, is unable to
pacity to make major decisions
essary policy directions.
authority over the military, when he
discharge the powers and duties of
under the given circumstances.
We have, it would appear, ruled
is unable to act, to the vice president,
his office, the vice president and a
My apprehension, in this regard,
out military intervention in Poland.,
the secretary of defense and to our
majority of the Cabinet shall desig-
surely is shared by the American
But there are a variety of other mea-
field commanders, in this order.
nate the vice president to be acting
people and by our allies and adver-
sures in our non-military arsenal,
president. The amendment also
saries alike. Whatever their views,
some short-range, others long range.
makes provisions for the president
they do not fail to understand the im-
Whatever the measures, it is of ut-
Arthur Goldberg is former associ-
to resume his office when he is able
pact of a major operation.
most importance that Soviet inter-
ate justice of the Supreme Court, U.S.
to do so.
Almost all, governmental prob-
vention, if it occurs, be met with an
permanent representative to the
This amendment could have been
lems can,, without serious
United Nations. ambassador at large
immediate response. And if we are to
invoked in the terrible case of the
consequences, await the president's
and secretary of labor.
shooting of President Reagan. It was
recovery from a temporary disabil-
See WE, A-14
THE WASHINGTON STAR Sunday, April 12, 1981
4
SZEP
cases. that of the Military Command
We Can't Act Crippled,
Authority and of the proposed For-
eign Affairs Command Authority,
some form of congressional consul-
Even for a Few Hours
tation or-review is essential to pre-
vent overreaching or abuse.
In the 25th Amendment a formal
ited period during a president's tem-
vote of Congress is required under
Continued from A-11
ave the imperative concerted ac-
porary disability. I venture to make
certain circumstances. A less formal
the following proposals:
procedure, e.g., consultation with
on by our allies, they must know
. Presumably, we have made pro-
the leadership of both parties. may
FAT
nd be consulted about what we pro-
visions for military emergencies by
well be the appropriate measure in
CHANCE
ose to do.
Happily, President Reagan's dis-
the Military Command Authority
the case of the temporary disability
Parenthetically, I can see no good
of a president with respect to which
bility seems under control and the
reason why we, the public, should
the amendment is not invoked.
resident appears to be able to react
) whatever may appear in Poland
not be given more details about how
AFTER
this will operate so that we can make
Announced in Advance
T elsewhere. But in light of our ex-
REAGAN
an informed judgment as to whether
Further, it is essential for the sake
erience in the recent past. realism
AND
the authority is adequate, inad-
of public confidence that any ar-
equires that we provide for the fu-
equate or excessive to meet such
rangement of this sort be made pub-
BUSH
Even if we are able to escape fur-
emergencies. Of course, certain mili-
Iic in advance of any foreign policy
COMES
ure.
tary planning should remain classi-
crisis occurring during a presiden-
HAIG
her assassination attempts.
residents, like the rest of us, may
fied. But we are entitled to know
tial disability. And certainly, in light
more than that the Military Com-
of President Reagan's welcome re-
e subject to disabilities requiring
mand Authority runs from the presi-
covery, it should not apply in pres-
najor operations or treatment, with
ttendant consequences. We have
dent to the vice president. to the
ent circumstances even if untoward
nly to recall what happened to Pres-
secretary of defense and ultimately
events take place in Poland. Also,
dent Eisenhower during his tenure.
to our field commanders presum-
the authorization of a Foreign Af-
ably. although not stated, through
fairs Command Authority should be
We can muddle through. as we
ow have done. Better still. we can
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
as detailed and as public as possible.
The Foreign Affairs Command Au-
A Foreign Affairs Command Au-
void some of the confusion which
thority which I envisage and pro-
thority publicly promulgated to
ccurred at the White House upon
eing advised of the horror of March
pose would follow the same pattern,
function during a future presiden-
although in the case of foreign poli-
tial temporary disability which is
0. And we can reassure our people
The
Sesson
cy. the constitutional base is the
conceived not to warrant invocation
nd our allies and put our adversar-
president's power to direct our for-
of the 25th Amendment, it seems to
the case of a transient but disablin
es on notice that we have adopted
me, would minimize confusion by
a permanent disability preventing
eign affairs.
him from discharging his constitu-
impairment. It is dangerous that
ppropriate measures to enable us to
The Foreign Affairs Command
those in authority as to who is mind-
ing the store and appreciably avoid
tional duties and responsibilities for
the event of and during such impai
ope with military and foreign poli-
Authority would run from the presi-
ment, no such delegation is made t
y emergencies in the event of a
dent, to the vice president, the sec-
panic here and abroad.
a prolonged period of time.
residential disability.
retary of state and then other
Finally, there is no possible justi-
In these parlous times, the func-
advance and public authorization
ficati 1 for not resorting to the 25th
tions of our chief executive should,
ther through invocation of the 25
involved executive departments and
ome Proposals
of necessity, temporarily be del-
Amendment or by some other appr
the bureaucracy.
Amenument where a president, as in
Given the reluctance to invoke
egated to his second in command in
priate means.
he 25th Amendment, even for a lim-
It also seems to me that in both
the case of President Wilson, suffers
14
THE WASHINGTON STAR Sunday, April 12, 1981
We Can't Act Crippled,
cases, that of the Military Command
SZEP
Authority and of the proposed For-
eign Affairs Command Authority,
some form of congressional consul-
Even for a Few Hours
tation or, review is essential to pre-
vent overreaching or abuse.
In the 25th Amendment a formal
Continued from A-11,
ited period during a president's tem-
vote of Congress is required under
have the imperative concerted ac-
porary disability, I venture to make
certain circumstances. A less formal
tion by our allies, they must know
the following proposals:
procedure, e.g., consultation with
and be consulted about what we pro-
Presumably, we have made pro-
the leadership of both parties, may
pose to do.
visions for military emergencies by
well be the appropriate measure in
FAT
Happily, President Reagan's dis,
the Military Command Authority.
the case of the temporary disability
CHANCE
ability seems under control and the
Parenthetically, I can see no good
of a president with respect to which
president appears to be able to react
reason why we, the public, should
the amendment is not invoked.
to whatever may appear in Poland
not be given more details about how
or elsewhere. But in light of our ex-
this will operate so that we can make
Announced in Advance
AFTER
perience in the recent past, realism
an informed judgment as to whether
Further, it is essential for the sake
REAGAN
requires that we provide for the fu-
the authority is adequate, inad-
of public confidence that any ar-
AND
ture.
equate or excessive to meet such
rangement of this sort be made pub-
BUSH
Even if we are able to escape fur-
emergencies. Of course, certain mili-
lic in advance of any foreign policy
COMES
ther assassination attempts,
tary planning should remain classi-
crisis occurring during a presiden-
HAIG
presidents, like the rest of us, may
fied. But we are entitled to know
tial disability. And certainly, in light
be subject to disabilities requiring
more than that the Military Com-
of President Reagan's welcome re-
major operations or treatment, with
mand Authority runs from the presi-
covery, it should not apply in pres-
attendant consequences. We have
dent to the vice president, to the
ent circumstances even if untoward
only to recall what happened to Pres-
secretary of defense and ultimately
events take place in Poland. Also,
ident Eisenhower during tenure.
to our field commanders - presum-
the authorization of a Foreign Af-
We can muddle through, as we
ably, although not stated, through
fairs Command Authority should be
now have done. Better still. we can
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
as detailed and as public as possible.
avoid some of the confusion which
The Foreign Affairs Command Au.
A Foreign Affairs Command Au-
occurred at the White House upon
thority which I envisage and pro-
thority publicly promulgated to
being advised of the horror of March
pose would follow the same pattern,
function during a future presiden-
30. And we can reassure our people
although in the case of foreign poli-
tial temporary disability which is
and our allies and put our adversar-
cy, the constitutional base is the
conceived not to warrant invocation
The Boston Nobr
ies on notice that we have adopted
president's power to direct our for-
of the 25th Amendment, it seems to
eign affairs.
me, would minimize confusion by
a permanent disability preventing
the case of a transient but disablin
appropriate measures to enable us to
ope with military and foreign poli-
The Foreign Affairs Command
those in authority as to who is mind-
him from discharging his constitu-
impairment. It is dangerous that
cy emergencies in the event of a
Authority would run from the presi-
ing the store and appreciably avoid
tional duties and responsibilities for
the event of and during such impai
presidential disability.
dent, to the vice president, the sec-
panic here and abroad.
a prolonged period of time.
ment, no such delegation is made
retary of state and then other
Finally, there is no possible justi-
In these parlous times, the func-
advance and public authorization
Some Proposals
involved executive departments and
fication for not resorting to the 25th
tions of our chief executive should,
ther through invocation of the 25
Given the reluctance to invoke
the bureaucracy.
Amendment where à president, as in
of necessity, temporarily be del-
Amendment or by some other appr
the 25th Amendment, even for a lim-
It also seems to me that in both.
the case of President Wilson, suffers
egated to his second in command in
priate means.
THE WASHINGTON POST
Sunday, April 5, 1981
The Day of the Jackal in Washington
At the Hospital
"Situation negative," the advance
agent replied.
At the shooting scene, agents had
By Lou Cannon
The quiet ended in the rapid fire of
overwhelmed a young blond man later
Washington Post Staff Writer
a handgun and screams from the
identified as John Warnock Hinckley
It began as an ordinary spring day in
crowd. Within nine seconds six shots
Jr. They piled him into a police car
Washington: light showers, the usual lines of
had been fired in rapid succession at
and took him away.
tourists at the White House, a routine speech
the presidential party.
Before the limousine reached the
by the president.
One shot hit Secret Service agent
hospital, nurses had cleared space in
Then, gunfire. For six hours the nation
Timothy J. McCarthy, who thrust
the resuscitation bay for the shooting
watched and wondered. Would the president
himself between President Reagan
victims. A first radio message has told
live? Would he survive and be disabled?
and the gunman, in the stomach.
them there has been a shooting and
Would the nation be plunged into constitu-
One shot hit District police officer
that "some men" have been hurt. A
tional crisis?
Thomas K. Delahanty in the neck.
second message informed them that
It was 2:24 p.m. Monday, March 31. Mi-
One shot, although no one knew it
one was the president of the United
chael K. Deaver wasn't supposed to be at the
immediately, bounced off the armored
States.
Washington Hilton. He was supposed to be
limousine and hit Reagan in the chest,
At 2:35 p.m. the limousine arrived
back in the White House working on the
penetrating his left lung. Yet another
at George Washington. Reagan was
hit a window in a building across the
president's schedule. But it was a busy day
feeling pain in his chest and was hav-
street and fragmented.
at the office for chief of staff James A. Baker
ing difficulty breathing. As he got out
And one shot, the shot that did the
of the car, D.C. paramedic Roberto
III, and Deaver, his deputy, had volunteered
to go in his place with President Reagan
most damage, struck White House
Hernandez recognized the limousine.
when he addressed the Building Trades
press secretary Brady over the left
On inaugural day he had been as-
eye, penetrating his brain. Brady fell,
signed to the ambulance that followed
Council.
with blood gushing from his head. An
the new president around Washing-
No one noticed the gunman before the
advance man, Rick Ahearn, put a.
ton.
firing began. No one particularly saw him, or
white handkerchief under Brady's
"I literally froze," Hernandez said
knew he was there. On the sidewalk outside
head. It quickly turned red with
afterward. "I didn't believe what I was
the lower entrance to the Washington Hilton,
blood.
actually seeing. I noticed he looked
very pale and he had an apprehensive
a Secret Service agent gave the routine radio
In a matter of seconds Parr had
look about him
The stare in his
signal that all was clear.
shoved Reagan into the limousine and
eyes was like he was in a slight daze."
It was 2:25 p.m. Deaver will never forget
pulled the door shut, He commanded
Reagan got out of the car. He
what happened next.
the driver, Drew Unrue, to pull away,
walked to the emergency room, his
"The president and I were walking out
and the presidential limousine sped
face drawn, Parr's arm around him.
together," he recalls. "The press started ask-
from the scene, A staff control car,
Incredibly, no one had thought to
ing their usual questions. I turned and
with Deaver inside, followed.
order a stretcher to be ready for him.
When the president entered the emer-
moved [James S.] Brady up because he was
"You son-of-a-bitch, you broke my
gency room, he feil to one knee.
the press secretary. I took three steps, then
rib," Reagan said to Parr inside the
"I can't breathe," he said.
the first shot went over my right shoulder. I
limousine. He was joking, but he was
For a moment the workers in the
knew what it was. I ducked down, with the
hurting from the blow.
resuscitation bay were stunned. "Is
help of a shove from a Washington police-
Later in the week the president
that who I think it is?" a nurse asked.
man, who also was dropping to the ground. I
would tell Deaver that he hadn't real-
Then they sprang into action. Her-
smelled the powder. I never saw the gun-
ized he had been hit by a bullet but
nandez removed Reagan's shoes, socks
that he certainly knew he had been
man."
and pants while his partner Eric Sim-
hit.
Secret Service agent Jerry Parr, head of
mons cut off his shirt.
"It was a blow like I never felt,"
"All I could think of was Parkland,"
the presidential detail, never saw the gun-
Reagan said. "It was like someone
Deaver said, referring to the Dallas
man, either. The gunman was shielded by
hitting me with a hammer as hard as
hospital where John F. Kennedy was
the crowd.
they could."
taken.
Secret Service agents had looked over this
Parr, not knowing that the presi-
dent had been shot, originally ordered
But Deaver, a short, quiet, patient
crowd, as they always do. It is not easy to
spot a concealed gunman in a friendly crowd.
the limousine to return to the White
man who knows Reagan better than
Thirty seconds before the president arrived
House. But when he saw Reagan
anyone on the White House staff and
at the hotel, Parr had received a favorable
coughing blood, the bright-red oxygen-
was treated like a son by him, was
ated blood that comes from the lung,
busy with other matters. Cool and
situation report.
he and the president thought a rib
collected, Deaver found a telephone
"Rawhide follow to Rawhide advance," he
had been broken by the protective
bay outside the emergency ward and
said, using the code word for the president.
shove. Parr told Unrue to drive to
called the White House. He reached
"Situation report?"
George Washington University Hospi-
Margaret Tutwiler, the secretary to
tal instead of the White House. He
chief of staff Baker.
-radioed the control car and told
"Keep this line open, Margaret," he
Deaver where he was going.
said. "There's been a shooting, and
the president's hurt. We don't think
he was hit, but he may have broken a
rib."
-2-
Gergen went to find White House
At the White House
counselor Edwin Mecse III, the presi-
Outside the resuscitation bay,
At the White House they already
dent's top aide, who was with his dep-
Deaver and aide David Fisher kept
knew about the shooting. But they
uty, Craig Fuller. They already knew.
the telephone lines open to the White
did not know much about what had
Baker ran down to the Secret Service
House. Deaver had Nancy Reagan
happened or that the president had
command post in the basement to
called immediately. He also asked
been shot.
find out what had happened. It was
Tutwiler to tell his secretary to call
about 2:35 p.m., the time of Reagan's
his wife, Carolyn, and tell her that he
Baker had been working in his of-
arrival at the hospital.
was unharmed, but Deaver's secretary,
fice through the morning. At 1 p.m.
Shirley Moore, had already done SO.
he went to the White House mess to
At the Hotel
Meanwhile, Brady and McCarthy
eat his usual lunch: a tunafish salad
had arrived at the hospital, and Dela-
sandwich and buttermilk. Brady and
Back at the Hilton, the ambulances
hanty had been taken to Washington
had borne away the wounded men,
his deputy, Larry Speakes, were fin-
Hospital Center. Brady looked bad
ishing their lunch as Baker and Tut-
leaving behind the remnants of the
and his blood pressure was dangerous-
wiler arrived. They exchanged pleas-
shooting: an umbrella, a dropped
briefcase, the bloody sidewalk grate
ly high. To the paramedics, McCarthy
looked best of all.
antries, and Brady said he was going
where Brady fell.
"Are you still with us?" a fellow
to the Hilton for Reagan's speech.
Prosperi, knowing that the presi-
The first word at the White House
agent asked him. "Oh, yes," McCarthy
dential limousine had started out for
quickly replied.
that something had gone wrong came
the White House, mistakenly believed
At 2:36 p.m. Mrs. Reagan arrived
in a telephone call from David Pros-
the president had arrived there, and
at the hospital. She wanted to see her
peri, an assistant press secretary. He
so informed the press. One eyewitness,
was at the scene where the shots were
husband immediately, but was told by
Ramon Flores, attempted to convince
Deaver that she could not. When she
fired, and he saw Brady go down.
Prosperi rushed into the hotel and
skeptical reporters that Reagan had
did get to see him, he greeted her
grabbed the first telephone he found.
been hit. He shrugged his shoulders
with a line that may become a classic:
It was a charge phone, so he gave the
when they did not believe him.
"Honey, I forgot to duck."
operator the White House press office
At the Hospital
number and billed the call to his
At the White House
home telephone.
Within minutes at George Washing-
At the White House, events moved
"Get me Larry. It's an emergency,"
ton the resucitation area was crowded
swiftly. Tutwiler had left the first
he said into the telephone.
with members of the trauma team
White House line open for Deaver,
Speakes was just coming out of a
and Secret Service agents. As Dr.
then she rounded up Baker, Meese,
meeting with other White House aides
Dennis O'Leary related later, a nurse
Gergen, Speakes and communications
in the Roosevelt Room on the auto-
trying to take Reagan's blood pressure
director Frank Ursomarso, who were
mobile regulation package that is to
could not hear through the stetho-
in a hall beyond the Oval Office. She
be announced this week. Betsy
scope because of the din and had to
told them Deaver was on the tele-
Strong, a press aide, ran up and told
take it by feeling the pulse in
phone.
him Prosperi was calling. He picked
Reagan's arm. It was only about 75 -
Baker went into his office and took
up the phone of Kathy Ahern,
low enough to signal that the presi-
one phone. Mecse picked up the other
Brady's secretary.
dent was in danger of shock.
phone on the same line. Baker was at
"The president has been shot at
and Brady has been hit," Prosperi
Quickly, trauma team members in-
his desk. Deaver told them that the
serted an intravenous tube and began
president had been shot.
said.
running fluid into the president's
"Shit," said Meese.
"Thanks," Speakes replied, and
hung up. From the look on his face
veins. They took blood samples to
"Oh, Jesus," said Baker.
measure the blood oxygen content and
Both men moved swiftly to do what
the others in the room knew it was a
crisis.
to match Reagan's blood for a trans-
was necessary. They agreed that the
"I don't know what it looked like,
fusion. Meanwhile, they called for O-
vice president had to be called, and
but it hit pretty hard," Speakes said.
negative blood, the type that can be
that the Cabinet should assemble in
Ahern began to weep.
given to anyone. Reagan's blood type
the White House Situation Room.
is O-positive.
Secretary of State Alexander M.
White House staff director David
R. Gergen was coming out of the
Dr. Joseph M. Giardano, the sur-
Haig Jr. had called, and Baker called
geon who heads the trauma team, was
him back.
same meeting Speakes had attended.
The first instinct of both was to walk
among the first to respond to the
"It's very important how we handle
page, and he saw Reagan within five
this world-wide," Haig told Baker,
out on the colonade and watch the
motorcade return, which they ex-
minutes of his arrival. By then, the
who agreed.
pected momentarily. Instead, Speakes
president's blood pressure had risen to
Treasury Secretary Donald T.
telephoned Jack Warner of the Secret
100, but he was coughing up blood,
Regan was the first Cabinet officer to
his' breathing was fast and labored,
reach Baker's office. Treasury is the
Service. Warner knew something had
and the surgeons had discovered the
boss of the Secret Service, and Regan
happened, but did not have the de-
slit-like wound under his left arm.
had been told of the incident within
tails.
Gergen ran down the corridor to
Giardano said that the likelihood of
two minutes of its occurrence. Regan
Baker's office with the news. He burst
a collapsed lung and the danger that,
was on a long distance call from Los
into the office, almost knocking down
Reagan might be bleeding from his
Angeles when the call came, and he
Tutwiler, who had her back against
heart or a major blood vessel made it
hung up and went immediately by car
the door.
necessary to insert a chest tube at
across the street to the White House.
once.
-3-
At the hospital, Deaver put White
Meanwhile, Dr. Neofytos T. Tsan-
Aaron said he could feel splintering
House physician Daniel Ruge on the
garis, the hospital's acting chief of
of the seventh rib where the bullet
open line, and Baker took notes on
staff, had been summoned from a
had nicked it and ricocheted into the
what Ruge told him: "He [the presi-
meeting by a brief announcement:
chest. Outside the left lung, he found
dent] has received a chest wound in
"The president of the United States is
a large blood clot, and, after he re-
the left chest. He is in stable condi-
in the emergency room." Tsangaris
moved it, he could see where the bul-
tion. The blood pressure and pulse is
said he quickly realized that three
let had entered the lung. Quickly, he
okay. He is alert and fighting. Next
separate operating rooms, one for each
examined the heart and the major
stop could be the operating room. You
shooting victim, must be readied at
vessels nearby. They were untouched.
ought to get right over here."
once with nurses, technicians and
All the bleeding was coming from the
Haig arrived. Later, at the State
equipment.
smaller vessels within the torn lung.
Department, a spokesman announced
It was now 3:20 p.m. and Reagan
"We began to feel. around for the
that Baker and Meese had left the
was being prepared for surgery. He
bullet
and to our chagrin we could
White House by the time Haig got
had an oxygen mask over his face
not find that bullet within the lung,"
there. It was an incorrect announce-
when Baker saw him, but winked at
he said later. Aaron ordered an X-ray
ment. Regan, Baker and Tutwiler all
his chief of staff.
taken on the operating table. The bul-
remember that Haig arrived just be-
At 3:30 p.m., approximately 45
let was visible, embedded in a portion
fore Baker and Meese left the office.
minutes after he was been brought to
of the left lung just behind the heart
They talked briefly, and Meese and
the hospital, he was wheeled to the
and "flattened almost as thin as a
Baker agreed that Haig would be the
operating room. His bleeding had
dime," he said.
"contact point" at the White House
slowed somewhat, and he had received
At last Aaron felt the bullet and
while they were at the hospital. No
a transfusion of five units of blood.
pulled it out. Then he removed some
one said anything about anyone being
"Please tell me you're Republicans,"
of the dead lung tissue, inserted a
"in control." But there was a brief
he joked to the masked surgical team
drain into the bullet's track, and
discussion of the 25th Amendment,
surrounding him.
closed the incisions. The president
providing for presidential succession,
After that, according to operating
had been in the operating room for
because no one knew how badly
room technician Michael Borowski,
3½ hours, and apparently was out of
Reagan was hurt. Bush would be back
who helped with instruments during
danger. With a breathing tube in his
by the time they knew, everyone
the operation, the president was quiet.
throat, and still on a respirator, the
agreed.
"I saw Reagan looking around at ev-
president was taken to the recovery
"
room.
Meese told Tutwiler to get them a
erybody busy doing their thing
There had been anxious moments
car. "I'll handle it," Regan said. He
he recalled later. "I just kind of took_
directed an agent to get them a siren-
his hand. He had sort of tears in his
for Nancy Reagan during this opera-
tion, moments she spent in a small
equipped Secret Service car so they
eyes
He really had this look of
private office the hospital made avail-
could speed through traffic to the hos-
appreciation on his face. That's what
able to her and in the chapel, where
pital. Speakes and Lyn Nofziger were
really touched me."
she met Sarah Brady, whose husband
with Meese and Baker.
The first part of the operation re-
had been erroneously declared dead in
Nofziger is a longtime Reagan aide
quired a tiny incision below the navel.
Into the incision Giordano inserted
mid-afternoon reports on all three
who proved a composed man in the
television networks.
day's crisis. He offered to help be-
about a quart of salt solution to deter-
For 53 minutes after the shooting
cause "Brady is out of commission,"
mine whether any bullets had pene-
not much was known at the White
and everyone was happy to have him.
trated the abdominal cavity and
House press office. It wasn't until 3:18
He and Speakes are old adversaries,
caused bleeding there. When sucked
p.m. that communications director
but they buried their differences on
out again, the fluid was clear, indicat-
Ursomarso stood on veteran press aide
that bloody day.
ing no abdominal injuries.
Connie Gerrard's chair in the upper
Haig, Regan, Gergen and intergov-
A report was given to Baker and
press office to tell a packed crowed of
ernmental relations aide Rich Wil-
Deaver outside the operating room.
reporters that Reagan had been shot.
liamson went down to the Situation
Nancy Reagan was told the good
Every television set was turned on
Room in the White House basement.
news, and tears came to her eyes.
as staff and reporters watched replay
At the hospital Deaver alternated
Borowski said Reagan was then
after replay. The room was full of
his time between Nancy Reagan and
turned on his right side and redraped
people who work with Brady every
the telephones. The grim mood was
for the more major operation, the to-
day, and the replays, particularly
lightened on one occasion when a hos-
racotomy. Assisted by Dr. Kathleen
those in slow motion, made all who
pital clerk with a green form in his
Cheyney, Dr. Benjamin L. Aaron cut
were present think that his chances
hand ran around trying to get some
a six-inch incision through the skin
for survival were slight.
information on the patient. "Who is
parallel with the ribs, extending hori-
Some aides wept for their fallen
he?" the clerk wanted to know.
zontally from below the left arm to-
press secretary. It was pouring rain
"R-e-a-g-a-n," Deaver spelled out.
ward the center of the chest. Then he
outside now, and correspondents who
"You are kidding," the clerk said.
used retractors to spread the ribs
usually would have broadcast from
"I'm not kidding," said Deaver.
apart.
the White House lawn stood on chairs
in the briefing room to get above the
heads of their milling colleagues and
talked to fill air time.
-4-
At 3:37 p.m. Gergen appeared in
phone line to Air Force Two, and
Some knew they were talking for
the crowded briefing room.
Haig was guarded in his communica-
posterity, but others didn't even no-
"Good afternoon," he said. "This is
tion. He also had a very poor connec-
tice the recorders. What the men in
to confirm the statements made at
tion.
the Situation Room wanted to know
George Washington hospital that the
"I think you should come directly
were three things: how badly was the
president was shot once in the left
back to Washington," Haig said.
president hit? Was the shooting a
side this afternoon as he left the hotel.
"There's been an incident." He also
conspiracy or an individual act?
His condition is stable.
told Bush that he would be sending
Would Brady survive?
"A decision is now being made
him a message over the coded Telex,
While first reports from the hospi-
whether or not to operate to remove
machine that is the only secure chan-
tal seemed to be positive, everyone in
the bullet. The White House and the
nel of communications between Air
the Situation Room was aware that
vice president are in communication.
Force Two and the ground.
the president was 70 years old and
And the vice president is now en
Bush hung up and turned to his
faced major surgery. They were trying
route to: Washington."
aides. "We are going directly back to
to prepare for every contingency.
On Air Force Two
Washington," he said. "I just spoke to
Smith and Fielding briefed the
Haig." It was a quarter of an hour
Cabinet members on constitutional
Going to Washington had not been
later before he learned what had hap-
succession and on the 25th Amend-
George Bush's plan. On a day of rou-
pened.
ment, which spells out the procedures
tine politicking, he had slipped into
"Mr. Vice President, in the incident
for the vice president's assuming office
his blue, Eisenhower-style official
you will have heard about by now, the
in case of presidential disability. The
flight jacket, buckled his seatbelt and
president. was struck in the back," the
review was brief, because the Cabinet
settled back for a moment of relax-
Telex from Haig said. "Medical au-
members spent much of the time on
ation as his plane took off from Fort
thorities are deciding now whether or
the telephone and, like millions of
Worth at 2:41 p.m. EST for a short
not to operate. Recommend you re-
other Americans, before the television
hop to Austin.
turn to D.C. at earliest possible mo-
set.
Behind him was a speech to cattle-
ment."
Of those in the Situation Room,
men and the dedication of the former
Quickly, the word was passed
Smith knew Reagan best. He is
Hotel Texas as a national monument
through the plane. House Majority
Reagan's long-time attorney, a charter
- it was the hotel where John F.
Leader Jim Wright (D-Tex.) walked
member of the "kitchen cabinet" and
Kennedy had spent his last night be-
into the front cabin, and Bush turned
a close friend. He also has jurisdiction
fore that fatal trip to Dallas. Ahead,
to him and said, "Why in the world
over the FBI, and was on the tele-
in Austin, awaited an address to the
would anybody shoot a man like Ron-
phone immediately, checking on
Texas Legislature and a news confer-
ald Reagan?"
Hinckley.
Air Force Two did not have enough
The readout from the FBI showed
ence.
Air Force Two was still climbing, a
fuel on board to make it to Washing-
that the suspect carried psychiatrists'
couple of minutes later, when Edward
ton nonstop, so the plane landed in
cards in his pocket, which convinced
Pollard, head of the vice president's
Austin as scheduled, but only for refu-
them that he probably was acting on
Secret Service detail, took an urgent
eling. Bush stayed on board, sipping
his own.
message from the Fort Worth office.
on a diet cola and saying very little.
Smith was outwardly calm, but his
He was told of the assassination at-
thoughts, like Deaver's, went back to
At the White House
tempt, and was told that the presi-
the day John F. Kennedy was shot
dent had not been hit. And he also
At the White House, Cabinet mem-
and the pall it cast over the nation.
was informed, incorrectly, that two
bers and other high White House offi-
He was relieved to hear that Reagan
Secret Service agents were down. Pol-
cials assembled in the Situation
was trying out one-liners on the doc-
lard immediately relayed this message
Room: Attorney General William
tors, knowing, as he would say later,
to Bush.
French Smith, Defense Secretary
"that this was a sign of normalcy."
Bush nodded quietly and began
Caspar W. Weinberger, Transporta-
Weinberger had been told by his
talking of the possibility of shortening
tion Secretary Drew Lewis, National
secretary that he was wanted at the
his Austin stopover. The telephone
Security Council staff director Richard
Situation Room. At first, he couldn't
line flashed again. This time it was
V. Allen, domestic adviser Martin An-
find a car, and thought of taking a
Bush's press secretary, Peter Teeley,
derson, CIA Director William J.
taxi, but CIA Deputy Director Bobby
with a message identical to the one
Casey, counsel Fred Fielding. Hours
Inman was visiting him, and he of-
Pollard had given.
later, Commerce Secretary Malcolm
fered to take the defense secretary to
The vice president's chief legislation
the White House.
Baldrige would arrive.
aide, Robert V. Thompson, rushed
There were so many people rushing
When Weinberger arrived, Haig was
back to the VIP section in mid-plane
back and forth that Allen tried to
making telephone calls on the only
and announced to the assembled
close the door to the Situation Room
secure phone in the Situation Room.
Bush aides and three Texas congress-
to keep some of the staff members
Weinberger stepped outside to call
men that an attempt had been made
out. Allen put a tape recorder on the
Gen. David Jones, chairman of the
on the president's life.
table in the center of the room along
Joint Chiefs of Staff. They discussed
Up front, at 3:04 p.m., Haig tele-
the combat-readiness of American
with another that was already there.
phoned Bush. There is no secure tele-
forces, and Weinberger, after receiving
unspecified classified information on a
little white slip of paper, directed
Jones to order "a little higher state of
readiness," but one that was short of a
full alert.
-5-
Other Cabinet members were mak-
Haig was then asked who was mak-
Afterward, both Haig and Weinber-
ing similar determinations in their
ing decisions for the government at
ger would try to minimize the ex-
areas of responsibility.
the time, and responded, "Constitu-
change, which lasted only a few
Regan told Treasury Undersecre-
tionally, gentlemen, you have the
minutes. Haig responded to criticisms
tary for Monetary Affairs Beryl
president, the vice president and the
Sprinkel to tell the Federal Reserve
of his appearance by saying that he
secretary of state, in that order, and
was winded from running up the
that the dollar should be supported
should the president decide he wants
stairs.
on foreign exchange markets. After-
to transfer the helm to the vice presi-
"I may have been quivery, but I've
ward, Regan described his action as "a
dent, he will do so. He has not done
been through 50 times worse than
normal procedure that has been done
that. As of now, I am in control here,
that," he said.
before" when some crisis threatens the
in the White House, pending return of
dollar's value.
the vice president and in close touch
At the Hospital
The order meant that the Federal
with him. If something came up, I
Reserve bought dollars with other cur-
would check with him, of course."
At the hospital, Haig's impromptu
rencies, though not in massive
Haig's appearance astounded Baker
briefing was one of the bad moments
amounts.
and Meese, who were watching at the
for the watching White House aides.
The attention of the officials in the
hospital. And it flabbergasted Haig's
An even worse one came in the press
Situation Room then turned to the
colleagues in the Situation Room,
room when the television networks
none of whom had been consulted
incorrectly announced Brady's death.
television set, which showed Speakes
before he left on his self-appointed
Some aides were furious. Others wept
in the press room fending off ques-
mission.
silently as they continued to work.
tions. He hadn't been told much, and
"What's Al doing up there?" asked
Baker, however, knew better than
some of the questions concerned pos-
Lewis.
the networks. He had just had a re-
sible emergency actions the nation
Weinberger, returning from his tele-
port that Brady was holding his own,
was taking in the crisis. He was asked
phone call to Jones, looked up and
and he called the Situation Room and
the key question of whether the U.S.
saw Haig on the screen and asked,
told them to disregard the report.
military had been placed on higher
"Why are they running that old tape
Hospital interns who heard the re-
readiness.
of Al Haig?"
ports asked the surgeon operating on
"Not that I'm aware' of," Speakes
It's not a tape, he was told. Haig's
Brady if he hadn't heard that his pa-
replied.
up there.
tient was dead.
His response drew criticism from
"He can't be, he was right here,"
At about 4:30 p.m. former president
both Weinberger and Haig, but the
said Weinberger, still disbelieving. As
Richard M. Nixon called the hospital,
secretary of state was especially agi-
he watched, Haig told reporters in the
asking for Nancy Reagan. She was
tated. He said that "the next time
briefing room that no change in mili-
unable to come to the telephone, but
someone opens their yap" they had
tary alert procedures was contem-
Baker did.
better make sure that what they are
plated.
"Please convey my concern that I
saying is true. Weinberger then left
Weinberger knew that this was un-
know is shared by all Americans,"
the room to make a telephone call.
true because he had just ordered the
Nixon said.
"We've got a problem, and it's
increased state of readiness, but had
At 5:20 p.m. the bullet was re-
Haig said, turning to Allen. "We
done so without telling Haig.
moved from the president and the
had better go upstairs and get this
When Haig returned to the briefing
straightened out."
room, Weinberger was waiting. In a
medical reports were positive. Baker
Haig and Allen double-timed up-
dramatic moment of angry but con-
called the Situation Room and told
stairs to the press room, which the
trolled confrontation, Weinberger de-
them they didn't have to worry them-
secretary of state, who had undergone
manded that Haig explain why he
selves any more with the 25th
open-heart surgery, later thought
had said what he had in the briefing
Amendment.
might have accounted for-his subse-
room. The two men kept their voices
Meese called the vice president,
quent shaky appearance on television.
down, but their differences were clear
whose plane was still an hour out of
He reached the briefing podium at
and sharp. Despite Haig's announce-
Washington.
4:14 p.m.
ment, Weinberger told him, he had
Cradling the phone in his cabin
In a voice cracking with emotion, he
increased the readiness of American
after he received the news, Bush
told the nation and the world: "I just
military forces.
turned to his aides and said, "The
wanted to touch upon a few matters
"That's just what I said we weren't
bullet's been removed. The operation
associated with today's tragedy. First,
doing," Haig said.
was a success. The president is fine."
as you know, we are in close touch
"I didn't know you were going up
It was now agreed at the hospital
with the vice president, who is return-
there," Weinberger replied, adding
that the president's top aides should
ing to Washington
We have in-
that he didn't think it "was appropri-
split up. And it was also agreed that
formed our friends abroad of the situ-
ate" for Haig to be going before the
any further briefings on the presi-
ation, the president's condition, as we
television cameras in the manner he
dent's condition should be by the doc-
know it [is] stable, now undergoing
had done. For good measure, he also
tors, even though this meant keeping
surgery. And there are absolutely no
said that Haig had misstated the
the press waiting for another hour.
alert measures at this time that we're
order of presidential succession,
Deaver and Nofziger, whose experi-
contemplating."
prompting Haig to respond: "You
ence was an asset in White House
should read the Constitution."
press relations, remained at the hospi-
tal, where Nofziger related the first of
the Reagan jokes in surgery. Meese
6
went to the vice president's residence
"Hi, Nancy," said Mrs. Brady, in a
to brief Bush upon his arrival.
manner that was strikingly composed,
Meese met Bush at the residence,
"We are just praying for both of
and together they rode in an armored
them."
limousine back to the White House.
Nofziger remained at the hospital to
Meese had sent a helicopter for the
brief reporters on Brady. At 9:30 p.m.
vice president to Andrews Air Force
he gave the first relatively optimistic
Base, and a Bush aide had suggested
report on Brady's condition.
that the chopper fly directly to the
White House.
At 8:50 p.m. the president, with the
"No, I don't want to do that," Bush
anesthesia worn off, scribbled a note
said. "Only the president flies onto the
to his doctors in the recovery room.
South Lawn."
"All in all, I'd rather be in Philadel-
It was 7 p.m. when Bush arrived in
phia," it said, in the words of a fa-
the Situation Room. In rapid-fire
mous movie line by W.C. Fields.
order Allen ticked off an agenda that
Everyone laughed. When the mes-
had been discussed previously: the
sage was relayed to the Situation
president's health, an update on the
Room, Smith said, "I know he's going
world intelligence situation, the status
to be all right."
of U.S. military forces, the status of
At 3 a.m. Tuesday, the tubes in
what the press and public had been
Reagan's mouth were removed. The
told, the status of information given
president's first words were about his
privately to members of Congress, the
assailant.
outlines of the statement which had
"Boy, what's his beef?" Reagan
been drafted for Bush, the question of
asked.
whether it was appropriate for Bush
to visit Reagan at the hospital, infor-
mation about Mrs. Reagan and the
family, the cancellation of Bush's
planned trip to Geneva and an update
on the next day's schedule, which
Bush would fulfill.
At 7:30 p.m., with Brady still
fighting for his life, Dr. Dennis
O'Leary, clinical dean of George
Washington, briefed the press.
At 8:45 p.m., Meese, Baker and
Weinberger met in Baker's office for a
drink and a discussion of the next
day.
At about this time, Nancy Reagan
left the hospital with their son, Ron,
and his wife, Doria. In a corridor, she
encountered the parents of the
wounded Secret Service agent, and
said gratefully that their son had
saved her husband's life. McCarthy's
father sobbed. Then, on the ground
floor, she met Brady's mother, Doro-
thy.
American Nightmare
And yet it goes on, and on, and on
Why?
many more Americans received the news and switched channels
-Robert F. Kennedy on the murder of
to something else, once the initial vertigo wore off and the medical
Martin Luther King, 1968
bulletins turned favorable. "Nobody was shocked," said Frank
Mankiewicz, the old Kennedy hand who now heads National
Suddenly, like a nightmare in instant replay, it was going on
Public Radio. "Suddenly, it goes with the territory. Everybody
again: the faceless, rootless loner with a pistol and a lunatic mission
knows what presidents do: they run for office, they push bills
washed up within shooting distance of the American Presidency
through Congress, they make speeches-and they get shot at."
and the American dream. Yet again, television screens burned
The swift return to what Reagan might call normalcy was
with the sickening imagery of assassination-Ronald Reagan walk-
due at least as much to his own iron-horse example, shaking
ing and waving through a misty Washington rain, a Saturday-
off his wounds and his post-op pain as if he were 50 instead
night special pop-popping bullets out of a crowd, the bodies of
of 70 and chafing for his return to the White House as early
White House press secretary James Brady and two lawmen blown
as this week. "We could all say, 'Boy, that was a close one',"
hurt and bleeding to the sidewalk, the Secret Service slamming
said Jack Casey, a Detroit political consultant. "The President
a stunned and wounded President into his limousine and racing
signaled to us that life goes on." For a day likely to live as
against death to a hospital. The news this time was good for
long as his Presidency, he was the Duke defending the Alamo,
Reagan and the others, and the omens for their recovery were
Teddy Roosevelt taking a slug in the chest en route to a speech
favorable. The most grievous wound of all was struck to the
and waving away help until he had finished. His approval rating
soul of a nation-the discovery that its public life is not yet
in an ABC News/Washington Post poll bounced 11 points, over-
safe from the fantasies of madmen or the shadow of the gun.
night, to 73 per cent. "General Patton or George Gipp couldn't
'I Forgot to Duck': Whatever saving grace could be found
have done it better," a Pittsburgh political scientist said. "He'll
in the carnage on T Street owed mainly to Reagan himself, grinning
have an image of an almost mythic hero about him now."
like the Sundance Kid into the face of death, and to the ex-
He will need those resources and more in the weeks ahead,
traordinary resilience of the government he had inherited only
running the government from a sickbed through a particu-
70 days before. The President walked into
larly difficult passage. An Administration
George Washington University Hospital on
accustomed to running on delegated au-
his own with his blood bozing away, an
Once again, a loner with
thority seemed to tick on nicely enough
undetonated explosive bullet in his chest
without him. But the crisis in Poland was
and his fighting spirit very much intact.
a pistol fires on a
heating dangerously near to what Rea-
"I forgot to duck," he kidded going into
two hours of surgery. "All in all, I'd rath-
President-and once
gan's men considered the flash point (page
62), with the President still in the hospi-
er be in Philadelphia," he kidded again
coming out. His sang-froid spread to his
again a nation stands
tal and his Secretary of State, Alexander
Haig, freshly bruised by his rattled be-
colleagues, gathered in the White House
Situation Room to install Vice President
in the shadow of the gun.
havior in the first hours after the shooting.
The Reagan economic package, moreover,
George Bush as acting President had the
was at a delicate moment of gestation. The
need arisen. It did not. Reagan resumed some semblance of com-
Senate voted during the week to cut the budget deeper, by $2.8
mand within eighteen hours-and the government, in the insistent
billion, than Reagan had asked, and the Urban League's Jordan
word of the White House, "did not skip a beat."
-himself scarred by sniper fire-pronounced it "no time to
Yet the mere fact of the attentat by an overprivileged under-
argue with a President." "Maybe the congressmen will feel sor-
achiever named John W. Hinckley Jr. was evidence enough that
ry for me and pass my tax bill," Reagan told a visitor; still,
the eighteen-year death trip begun with the assassination of John
he was champing to get back to work lest his program falter
F. Kennedy cannot yet be counted over. Hinckley, like most
without him.
of his forebears in the American past, was the agent of no discernible
The Wrong Track: The less tangible danger was that John
cause larger than his own dementia-a Valium-dulled stew of
Hinckley had shot up more than a President and his retinue-
rock songs, Nazi scriptures and an unrequited passion for the
that his .22-caliber Röhm RG-14 had wounded the American
teen-age movie star Jodie Foster. But he is as well the child
spirit as well at a moment when it had seemed so promisingly
of the bloodiest generation in the history of America's public
on the mend. In surveys by Reagan's polltaker Richard Wirthlin,
life and popular culture. JFK fell into the bull's-eye when Hinckley
public support for the view that the nation has somehow "gotten
was 8, Malcolm X when he was 9, King when he was 12, Bobby
off on the wrong track" had dwindled sharply, from 77 per cent
when he was 13, George Wallace when he was 16, Gerald Ford
last June to 47 per cent only a fortnight ago. But the attempt
when he was 20, Vernon Jordan and John Lennon when he was
on Reagan's life brought home how fragile that spirit is and
25. He saved cuttings on some of them, and on their assailants,
how resigned Americans have become to periodic armed assaults
and read them to mean that murdering Reagan would be re-
on it. It has become a given that the open society cannot surely
garded-even honored-as a "historical deed."
identify the dangerous men and women in its midst, or keep
He was wrong, of course; the disturbing lesson of the attempt
them from moving about at will, or even prevent them from
on Reagan was not that Americans condone or encourage public
buying weapons meant only for murder. With Reagan's wounding,
violence but that they have grown numb to it. Hinckley did have
Congress rang with impassioned cries for tightened gun control-
his admirers in isolated pockets-the seventh-graders in Tulsa
and defeated whispers that, however popular, it will not pass.
who cheered this TV shooting as they had J. R.'s on "Dallas"
To do nothing at all is to surrender to the possibility that
a year ago and the occasional callers to radio phone-in shows
the attempt on Reagan was not the last-that the shadow of
asserting that Reagan got what he deserved. What was more
the gun has become a deadly fact of American life. "Does anybody
disquieting was the widespread that's-life acquiescence with which
know what the guy's beef was?" Reagan mused, puzzling with
the rest of the nation over the scrambled shards of John Hinckley's
Instant replay: A pistol spat bullets, a stunned and wounded Presi-
life. The real nightmare for America was that it didn't matter-
dent was slammed into his car-and, beyond a line of fallen
that any crowd anywhere may conceal a tuned-out loser with
bodies, lawmen pinned Hinckley to the wall
a pistol in his pocket and a grievance to avenge in blood.
© Sebastiao Salgado Jr.-Magnum
PETER GOLDMAN
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
29
SPECIAL REPORT
Reagan's Close Call
The cylinder spun, the
counselor Edwin Meese. Richard Allen, the
to the Washington Hilton Hotel for a speech
hammer clicked and the
national-security adviser, went over the
to 3,500 AFL-CIO union delegates. The
little, snub-nosed revolver sprayed its chaos.
morning cables. Then his top Congressional
two politicians, self-made men of Irish roots
Michael Deaver, deputy White House chief
lobbyist, Max Friedersdorf, gave him the
and humor, spent the five-minute drive
of staff, cringed like a man who had just
morning line on Congress. The rest of the
reminiscing about the 1980 New Jersey pri-
felt death whistle past his neck. Press sec-
day looked to contain nothing more ex-
mary, in which Donovan had played a cru-
retary James Brady pitched face down on
citing than a meeting with David Rocke-
cial role for Reagan. Donovan told the
the sidewalk, blood trickling through a
feller of Chase Manhattan Bank and dinner
President an old New Jersey joke about
grating. Policeman Thomas Delahanty
with a few Cabinet officers.
a local pol demoted to superintendent of
spun around and then collapsed, a bullet
Two blocks away, Hinckley got up,
Municipal Weights and Measures. After
in his neck, his hat flying through the air.
dressed and left the hotel. Outside, it was
his first day, reporters asked him, "Sir, how
One slug caught Secret Service agent Timo-
raining. Hinckley went to Kay's Sandwich
many ounces in a pound?" "Hey," he pro-
thy McCarthy in the chest, lifting and drop-
Shoppe down the street from the Old Ex-
tested. "Give a guy a chance to learn his
ping him in a limp bundle on the pavement.
ecutive Office Building, sat on a stool and
duties." The President's limousine parked
Another punched a tiny hole in the left
began to eat his breakfast. Back at room
outside the hotel's VIP entrance and Rea-
side of the President of the United States,
312, the maid came in. She found Hinck-
gan strode in. He worked a reception line,
who was pushed into his car by agent
huddled with Donovan, Deaver and
Jerry Parr and sped away so fast that
Brady in a VIP "holding room." Then
at first even Ronald Reagan didn't know
he walked into the ballroom and gave
he had been shot.
a conventional little speech that ranged
from his budget cuts to the work ethic
The day before the shooting, 25-year-
to violent crime.
old John Warnock Hinckley Jr., a child
Fidgets: Hinckley got ready to make
of the right gone wrong, arrived at the
his move. Sometime after 1:15, when
Greyhound Bus Terminal in Washing-
a room maid knocked and found him
ton-just five long blocks from the
still in his room, he set off for the Wash-
White House. For a few moments
ington Hilton. When he arrived, he
Hinckley leaned on a pole in the ter-
took up a position in front of the curv-
minal; then he sat down in a blue plastic
ing stone wall that runs from the VIP
chair: At about 12:15 p.m. he got into
entrance. "He was very fidgety, agitat-
line at the terminal's Burger King. "A
ed," recalled Mike Dodson, a Pinkerton
Whopper, cheese, no onions, and an or-
man working in the Agency for Inter-
der of onion rings," he snapped at wait-
national Development across the street
ress Linda Ross, slamming a $5 bill
who noticed Hinckley as he waited for
down on the counter. When the waitress
the President to emerge from the hotel.
asked if the order was to go, he snarled,
Reporters and cameramen, also waiting
"I said it was for here." He grabbed
for Reagan, took up stations behind a
his change and tray, retreated to a far
red-velvet rope. The Secret Service did
corner and wolfed down the food. At
not screen the press crowd despite the
1 p.m. he made his way to the Park
fact that bystanders had made their way
Central Hotel on Eighteenth Street, two
into it. A police lieutenant reportedly
blocks from the White House and less
John Ficara-Newsweek
studied Hinckley for a while-but then
than one block from Secret Service head-
Hinckley under arrest: A 'historical deed' for love
looked away.
quarters. He paid $42 for one night's
The leaky security upset Reagan's
rent on room 312, which had twin beds,
ley's clothes packed neatly in a suitcase,
White House advance men. Rocky Kuonen
ivory wallpaper, a brown carpet and a color
a little travel alarm clock and a TV guide-
pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled
TV. He went out again, then hunkered
little more. Not long afterward, Hinckley
a diagram, reminding himself to sanitize
down for the night-and his grim appoint-
returned. He sat down to compose a love
the press cordon of bystanders before Rea-
ment the next day with Ronald Reagan.
letter to someone he had never met: Jodie
gan's next public stop. The precaution came
While Hinckley cruised the porn district
Foster, an 18-year-old movie starlet who
too late. At 2:25 the President emerged
four blocks from the White House, the
played a teen-age prostitute in the 1976
from the VIP entrance into a misty rain.
President was spending a quiet evening in
film "Taxi Driver" (box, page 35). "There
For convenience, his limousine was not
the family quarters at the White House.
is a definite possibility that I will be killed
parked directly in front of the entrance but
Next morning he got up, showered, put
in my attempt to get Reagan," he wrote.
25 feet away so the motorcade could avoid
on a blue suit and tucked a white hand-
"Jodie, I'm asking you to please look into
the hotel's curving driveway and a circu-
kerchief neatly in his pocket. At 8:45 he
your heart and at least give me the chance
itous exit as it pulled away.
entered the Oval Office for the day's first
with this historical deed to gain your re-
As the Presidential party came out,
briefing with his top aides-White House
spect and love." The signature was equal-
Brady and Deaver swung left, headed for
chief of staff James Baker, deputy chief
ly inflamed: "I love you forever-John
the staff car. Then Reagan stepped forward.
of staff Michael Deaver and White House
Hinckley."
Hoping to get in one quick question, Mi-
The letter was dated 12:45 p.m. At 1:30,
chael Putzel, an AP reporter, shouted, "Mr.
Nancy and a convalescing President: 'Hon-
Secretary of Labor Raymond Donovan ar-
President, Mr. President." The President
ey, I forgot to duck'
rived at the White House to escort Reagan
smiled and raised his left arm in a cheery
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
31
MAIN ENTRANCE
McCatthy
WASHINGTO.
HILTONHOTE
The President and
his aides emerge from
hotel and walk toward
waiting cars.
VIP
DOOR
3
Secret Service agent Parr
rushes toward Reagan, pushing
him into the car.
Michael Evans-The White House
Moments before the shooting: The gunman is blocked from view by Officer Delahanty
wave. At that moment, Hinckley whipped
follow-up limousine. "Rawhide" return-
eight or nine people leaping on this one
out his gun, dropped to a crouch, took
ing to "Crown'," he added, signaling that
guy," said Dan Coffey, a mortgage agent.
up a cop's professional, double-hand grip
Reagan was on his way back to the White
"It seemed like forever before they got him
and opened fire. Reagan froze and went
House. "Rawhide not hurt, repeat, not
under control." After several minutes of
pale. "It was like looking at a person who
hurt," Parr said a few seconds later. In
struggling, the officers clapped handcuffs
has seen death reflected in his eyes," said
the President's car, Reagan felt his side
on Hinckley, pulled his coat up over his
Mickey Crowe, 24, a trembling demonstra-
gingerly. He was having trouble breathing.
head as a makeshift straitjacket and hustled
tor who had come to protest Reagan's pro-
"It felt like a hammer hit me," Reagan
him off to metropolitan police headquar-
nuclear-energy stance. "AllI can remember
later described the sensation. He began
ters. Three ambulances arrived and hauled
is his expression. It was like a guy saying:
to cough up red blood and agent Parr
away Brady, Delahanty and McCarthy.
'I'm in a moment of helplessness'."
recognized it as oxygenated blood from
Looking at the bloody bandages left on
Shield: Within two seconds, Hinckley
the lungs. He directed the driver to change
the sidewalk, Garnet Chapin, 32, a Reagan
emptied his gun, firing six shots in all. The
course. Grabbing the car radio, Parr said
advance man during the 1980 campaign
little revolver made a deceptively innocent
"Horsepower." Parr. Going to George
who was in town to apply for a job at the
popping sound. "Firecrackers," thought
Washington University Hospital. Notify
Interior Department, said with a groan,
Kuonen, who had seen heavier fire in Viet-
hospital Rawhide en route."
"I know it's impossible to completely pro-
nam. At the first pop, Parr, 50, head of
From a window in a building across the
tect him
I was with him from Philly
the White House Secret Service detail,
street from the Washington Hilton, Wilma
to Flint. Now I'm in Washington and I
reached forward and grabbed the startled
Criviski watched as the President's motor-
see this." Tears welled in his eyes. "Damn,
President. Doubling Reagan over to reduce
cade screeched away, leaving the bodies
damn," he cursed softly.
his target profile, Parr then hunched over
of three men on the ground. Rushing to
'Code Room': Within a few minutes the
him as a human shield and slammed him
a front office, she grabbed a phone, dialed
President's motorcade screamed into the
to the floor of the limousine. Even so, one
911 and cried to the emergency dispatcher:
emergency entrance of George Washington
of Hinckley's shots, caroming off the car's
"We need an ambulance at the Washington
University Hospital, twelve blocks from the
armor, tore a hole in Reagan's suit, pierced
Hilton Hotel; people have been shot in the
Washington Hilton Hotel. As two Secret
his body, traveled several inches down his
street." Brady was face down, bleeding into
Service agents hovered close by, Reagan
side, bounced off a rib, punctured his left
a steel grating and tended to by a Secret
got out, walked about 15 yards to the emer-
lung and came to rest just 3 inches from
Service agent who laid his gun to rest next
gency room, then staggered and was
his heart. He felt nothing at first. "The
to Brady's wounded head. Delahanty, a
grabbed by the agents. "His eyes rolled
car pulled out with the President looking
policeman who normally works a different
upward and his knees started to buckle,"
back," said William Middleton, an archi-
beat but was assigned to Reagan because
said Roberto Hernandez, 26, a paramedic.
tect who was standing nearby. "I think
his guard dog Kirk was sick that day, also
"I thought he was having a heart attack.
it was just the people standing in front of
lay on the ground groaning in agony. Agent
I thought we were losing him." Hernandez
him that saved him."
McCarthy lay silent.
took the President by the feet, and the
As the President's motorcade roared
The smell of burnt powder filled the air.
agents hoisted him gently under the arms
down Connecticut Avenue, the radio
Alfred Antonucci, 68, a burly, 5-foot 2-
and carried him-faint but still conscious—
("Horsepower") in room W-16, the Secret
inch union representative from Cleveland,
to the "code room," a 10- by 20-foot space
Service command post at the White House,
tackled Hinckley. Police, hotel security
where the worst emergency cases are treat-
crackled to life. "Shots fired," reported
guards and Secret Service men brandishing
ed. "Let's get some oxygen on him," yelled
an agent in "Halfback," the President's
their weapons also piled on. "There were
a doctor as the hospital's trauma team
32
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
THE CARNAGE ON T STREET
SPECIAL REPORT
2
Gunman, waiting
with reporters, fires
at the President.
McCarthy
Brady
STAFF CAR
Delahanty
SECRET
SERVICE
Reagan
CAR
Deaver
4
Brady, Delahanty and
McCarthy are hit directly.
Reagan is struck by a bullet
ricocheting off the limousine.
PRESIDENTIAL
LIMOUSINE
lb Ohisson-NEwsweek
cal-care tower" of the Washington Hospital
Center.) McCarthy was lying on his side,
swung into action (page 45). Hernandez
clutching his abdomen. "Are you still with
leaned over Reagan and whispered "They'll
us?" asked a colleague. "Oh yeah, I'm still
take care of you, Mr. President."
with you," McCarthy said with a grimace.
Another ambulance wailed up to the
In Chicago, McCarthy's mother and sister
emergency room and Brady was wheeled
flicked on their TV, saw the first tapes of
into the room next to Reagan. A curtain
the shooting, and wept. When Hinckley
was drawn between them. A few seconds
began shooting, McCarthy had stepped into
later a third ambulance pulled up with Mc-
the line of fire, perhaps saving Reagan's
Carthy. (Delahanty was taken to the "criti-
life. "He knew the job had risks," said his
Six shots: Parr shoves Reagan into limo, McCarthy is hit and Deaver (below) ducks
Dirck Halstead
Photos by Sheldon Fielman (cameraman)-NBC TV News
Dirck Halstead
© Sebastiao Salgado r.-Magnum
After the President's escape: Uzi-toting agent guards Hinckley as others attend Brady
Evidence: An agent holds the attacker's gun
father, Norman, a Chicago cop. "He knew
gunned down; Brady's wound was to the
"He's all right, he's all right," she cried
the dangers."
brain. Suddenly, Deaver gasped. "Oh, gosh,
as she jumped from her car and sprinted
Meanwhile, from the Washington Hilton
here they come," he said, as Brady was
to the emergency room. A Secret Service
lobby, David Prosperi, 27, a White House
wheeled by on a stretcher. "It doesn't look
agent told her otherwise. "He's taken a
press aide left behind by the retreating
good for Jim," Deaver said quietly.
bullet-but he's all right," the agent said.
Presidential motorcade, flashed the word
Baker's immediate problem was to de-
"Honey, I forgot to duck," Reagan told
of the shooting to the White House. Mis-
termine whether Reagan had been inca-
her. She leaned over and kissed him. As
takenly, he told deputy press secretary
pacitated-and whether to transfer Presi-
the President's bed was wheeled into the
Larry Speakes that Reagan had not been
dential power to Vice President George
operating room, the doctors gently
hit. Speakes bolted into the hallway outside
Bush under the terms of the 25th Amend-
stopped the First Lady from entering.
the press office, collared Presidential as-
ment. Baker asked Deaver to put Dr. Daniel
Looking up, Reagan caught a glimpse of
sistant David Gergen and delivered the
Ruge, Reagan's personal physician, on the
Meese, Deaver and Baker. "Who's mind-
news of the shooting. "Oh my God," Ger-
phone. Ruge reported that the President
ing the store?" he said with a wink as
gen thought. "Not again." The two men
had a small bullet puncture in his chest
the orderlies wheeled him into surgery.
raced along the colonnade by the Rose Gar-
and had lost 3 or 4 pints of blood; he called
Looking up at the surgeons, Reagan
den to the South Lawn. Seeing that Rea-
his condition "stable." Just then, one of
quipped, "I hope you're all Republicans."
gan's motorcade had failed to return, they
Baker's other phones rang. Secretary of
"Today, everyone's a Republican," one
ran into Baker's West Wing office. "Do
State Alexander Haig was on the line. Baker
doctor rejoined.
you know what's happened?" Gergen blurt-
told him Reagan had been hit. "You know
Rumors: Reassured by the preliminary
ed out. "Somebody's tried to shoot the
it's important how we handle this as far
guess of the doctors that Reagan's prog-
President-and Brady's been hit."
as the world is concerned," Haig said. "I
nosis was good, Baker, Deaver and Meese
'Oh, Gosh': Baker made a dash for the
quite agree with you," Baker replied. Before
saw no immediate need to invoke the 25th
Secret Service command post. When Meese
taking any action, however, Baker and
Amendment. But for a time it looked like
was alerted, he "went totally white," said
Meese wanted to go to the hospital. At
no one was minding the store very coher-
an aide. A few minutes later Deaver called
Deaver's suggestion, the two worried aides
ently. Back at the White House, the
from the hospital with a garbled report:
went first to the White House family quar-
stripped-down staff wallowed in rumors.
Brady and a Secret Service agent had been
ters to persuade Nancy Reagan not to go
It took nearly an hour before White House
shot, but the President had only a bruised
to the hospital. "A lot of people had been
communications director Frank Ursomar
rib. Scribbling a "Do not hang up" sign
shot: there was a lot of blood," said an
so announced that Reagan had been shot.
on a sheet of paper, White House aides
aide. "It was his view that it wasn't the
There was weeping when all three networks
attached it to the phone and kept the line
best place for her to be."
broadcast a false report that Brady had
open to the hospital. (It took 40 minutes
They were too late. Returning from a
died. Speakes finally emerged and crushed
to install secure White House communi-
lunch in Georgetown, the First Lady had
the rumor. "There was a lack of precise
cations to the hospital.) Five minutes later
learned of the shooting from her chief of
information to say the least," says Treasury
Deaver was back with a grimmer report:
staff and a Secret Service agent. She im-
Secretary Donald Regan, the first Cabinet
"It looks like the President has been
mediately rushed to the hospital. She did
officer to arrive on scene.
nicked," he said; a D.C. cop had been
not know that her husband had been shot.
The Administration began to pull itself
34
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
SPECIAL REPORT
together. Haig, Defense Secretary Caspar
Weinberger, Attorney General William
French Smith and CIA chief William Casey
all rushed to the White House. The Presi-
dent's men gathered in the basement Sit-
uation Room (code name: Cement Mixer).
Meese and Baker left word before they went
to the hospital that Haig, as the senior Cabi-
net officer, should run the Situation Room,
overseeing such duties as assembling the
entire Cabinet should it be necessary to
invoke the 25th Amendment later. Says
Baker, "We did everything we had to do
to take action if action was required."
Alert: Even so, Haig managed to stum-
ble into one stinging set of nettles. As he
was sitting in the Situation Room, he
glanced up at the television and heard a
reporter ask deputy press secretary
Speakes whether U.S. military forces had
been put on alert. "Not that I'm aware,"
Speakes replied. Haig feared that the
press might misinterpret the vague report.
"Come on, come with me," he told na-
tional-security adviser Allen. Without
telling anyone where he was going, Haig
Dirck Halstead
took Allen in. tow, raced up a flight of
An ambulance for Brady: Miraculous progress after the networks pronounced him dead
stairs and stalked into the White House
press room.
berger looked up absently at the television
State in that order, and should the President
For a take-charge leader, Haig made a
set and asked, "What's that old tape of
decide he wants to transfer the helm to
rather clumsy entrance. Unannounced,
Al running for?" He had no idea that Haig
the Vice President, he will do so. I am
sweating heavily from the run upstairs, his
was upstairs on live TV.
in control here in the White House pending
voice quavering, he announced that the ap-
But Haig got his facts wrong-and over-
the return of the Vice President. If some-
propriate Cabinet officials were in the Sit-
stepped his authority. When a reporter
thing came up, I would check with him,
uation Room, that Vice President Bush was
asked who was making the decisions for
of course."
aware of the crisis, that U.S. allies had been
the White House he replied: "Constitution-
In fact, the Speaker of the House and
notified as well and that no military alert
ally, gentlemen, you have the President,
the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
was on. Down in the Situation Room, Wein-
the Vice President and the Secretary of
follow the President and Vice President
Hinckley's Last Love Letter
Dear Jodie:
sation, however full of ridicule it may
There is a definite possibility that I
be. At least you know that I'll always
will be killed in my attempt to get Reagan.
love you.
It is for this very reason that I am writing
Jodie, I would abandon this idea of
you this letter now.
getting Reagan in a second if I could
As you well know by now, I love you
only win your heart and live out the rest
very much. The past seven months I have
of my life with you, whether it be in
left you dozens of poems, letters and mes-
total obscurity or whatever. I will admit
sages in the faint hope you would develop
to you that the reason I'm going ahead
an interest in me.
with this attempt now is because I just
Although we talked on the phone a
cannot wait any longer to impress you.
couple of times, I never had the nerve
I've got to do something now to make
to simply approach you and introduce
you understand in no uncertain terms
myself. Besides my shyness, I honestly
that I am doing all of this for your sake.
did not wish to bother you
I know
By sacrificing my freedom and possibry
the many messages left at your door and
my life I hope to change your mind about
in your mailbox were a nuisance, but I
me. This letter is being written an hour
felt it was the most painless way for me
before I leave for the Hilton Hotel.
to express my love to you.
Jodie, I'm asking you to please look
I feel very good about the fact you
into your heart and at least give me the
at least know my name and how I feel
chance with this historical deed to gain
about you. And by hanging around your
your respect and love.
dormitory I've come to realize that I'm
I love you forever.
Steve Schapiro-Transworid
the topic of more than a little conver-
(signed) John Hinckley
Foster as a prostitute in 'Taxi Driver'
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
SPECIAL REPORT
Larry Downing-NEwsweek
James Knowles-Sipa-Black Star
Baker, Meese and Deaver watch Bush on the air: The President has emerged with flying colors'
in the legal order of succession. And it
islature. As Bush's plane took off, special
Wright to the forward compartment to talk.
is Weinberger, not Haig, who is in charge
agent Ed Pollard told a Bush aide, "There
"He conducted himself in an atmosphere
of the emergency military commands in
has been an attempt on the President and
of total calm," Wright said later. He told
the absence of Reagan and Bush. To make
two agents are down." At that moment,
Bush a story about Vice President Harry
matters worse, Weinberger had just called
the plane started to climb, and Bush didn't
Truman on the day that Franklin D. Roo-
Gen. David Jones, chairman of the Joint
get the word until the pilot leveled off. "Two
sevelt died. Truman was with House Speak-
Chiefs of Staff, to order a low-level increase
Secret Service men are down," Bush said.
er Sam Rayburn when he was summoned
in military readiness on the ground that
"Don't you know how awful he [Pollard]
to the White House. "Harry, you must be
no one knew whether the attack on the
must feel?"
President now," Rayburn said. "Sam, I
President had been an isolated incident or
A few minutes later Haig phoned, telling
can't do it," Truman replied. "Mr. Presi-
a conspiracy. When Haig returned and
Bush to return to Washington and that
dent," Rayburn said evenly, "You've got
asked everyone to make sure that their ac-
a coded teletype message was on its way
to do it." The plane landed and taxied into
tions squared with his statement, Wein-
to Bush's plane. The television in the plane
a hangar for security. Before Bush boarded
berger refused to rescind his order, making
was tuned to ABC, and at 3:11 p.m. the
the chopper, a Secret Service agent handed
it clear that he thought Haig was over-
Vice President of the United States, like
him a bullet-resistant raincoat.
stepping his authority. "You better read
millions of other shocked Americans, first
Allies: Landing on the grounds of the
your Constitution," Haig snapped. There
learned that Reagan, too, had been shot.
Naval Observatory, the Vice President's of-
was a sharp exchange-Weinberger's office
At 3:19, the coded message arrived con-
ficial quarters, Bush found Meese waiting
later denied leaked details-and finally the
firming the news.
to escort him to the White House. Bush
flap blew over. A few hours later the readi-
The Vice President's plane (code name:
went directly to the Situation Room. Ev-
ness order was lifted.
Treasureship) landed in Austin at 3:25 to
eryone there stood up as he walked in, and
Reassurance: During that time the
refuel for the flight to Washington. House
he sat down at the head of the conference
White House press corps grumbled angri-
Majority Leader James Wright flew back
table. "All right, bring me up to date,"
ly over the chaos around them. Final-
with the Vice President. Bush invited
he said. "How is the President?" He was
ly, a senior Administration hand took
briefed on Reagan's condition and the
aside a reporter friend and asked wan-
Haig briefing the press: 'Read your Constitution'
messages Haig had sent to U.S. allies.
Courtesy NBC TV News
ly, "What should we be doing that
Weinberger reviewed the military sit-
we aren't doing?" "Continuity of gov-
uation, reporting that there had been
ernment," the reporter snapped. "Get
no unusual military movements war-
someone out here to reassure every-
ranting a U.S. response.
one." That role fell first to Dr. Dennis
The meeting was low key, calm.
S. O'Leary, the articulate and unflap-
Once or twice Bush propped his feet
pable dean of Clinical Affairs and pub-
on the table as he talked. The briefing
lic spokesman for the hospital, who
over, he left to address the networks.
reported that Reagan had "sailed
The President "has emerged from this
through" surgery.
experience with flying colors and with
Bush also emerged as a calming
most optimistic prospects for a com-
force. At the time of the shooting, he
plete recovery," he said. "I can re-
was in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he
insure this nation and the watching
had spoken to a convention of cattle-
world that the American Government
men. He was bound for Austin to ad-
is functioning fully and effectively."
dress a joint session of the state leg-
The Vice President then left to pay
36
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
SPECIAL REPORT
he was dancing with the Joffrey II
Ballet. An Air Force jet brought
a call on Nancy Reagan. She had spent
Maureen, 39, Michael, 35, and Patti,
the hours during Reagan's operation with
28, in from California. Billy Graham
Jim Brady's wife, Sarah, and Timothy
arrived; so did Frank Sinatra, who
McCarthy's wife, Carolyn, in an office on
paid a quiet call on the First Lady
the second floor of George Washington
at the White House to avoid pub-
University Hospital. She also prayed in
licity. Queen Elizabeth and the Pope
the chapel. Four hours after the shoot-
sent comforting words-as did Leo-
ing, Reagan was wheeled into the recov-
nid Brezhnev and Fidel Castro.
ery room, draped in a bright orange blan-
Early the next morning, Reagan
ket. He stayed there until 6:15 the next
redeemed the faith of his men, who
morning.
had decided against invoking the
'Progress Notes: Reagan's performance
25th Amendment. Around 6:45 a.m.,
in the recovery room may have been his
Meese, Deaver and Baker found the
finest starring role. He had a tube in his
President propped up in bed, brush-
throat and couldn't talk easily. He called
ing his teeth. "I should have known
for a clipboard, and on a pad of pink paper
I wasn't going to avoid a staff meet-
he began to dash off "progress notes." "I'd
ing," he said, adding to Deaver, the
like to do this scene again-starting at
keeper of his time, "I've really
the hotel," he wrote, convulsing the nurses
screwed up the schedule." When the
and staff. For a time, he fell into a fitful
three counselors assured him soberly
sleep. Waking, he grabbed the pad and
that the business of government was
wrote, "I'm still alive aren't I?" Around
going on as usual, Reagan fixed them
midnight he once again reached for his
with a Western eye and said, "What
writing gear and scribbled, "Winston
makes you think I'd be happy about
Churchill said there is no more exhilarating
that?"
feeling than being shot without result."
Signature: The President still had
At 1:30, in a sardonic reference to his res-
an intravenous needle in his right
pirator, he wrote, "Send me to L.A. where
arm and tubes in his nose; but he
I can see the air I'm breathing." At 2:20,
seemed eager to get back to work.
he passed a note to his round-the-clock
The aides had brought along a bill
nurses that said, "If I knew I had such
restricting Federal price supports for
talent for this, I'd have tried it sooner."
dairy products. It represented Rea-
At 3 a.m., the doctors took the tube
gan's first real legislative victory.
AP
out of the President's throat, and he could
When they asked gingerly if he want-
Dr. O'Leary: Reassuring an anxious nation
finally talk.
ed to sign it, he said, "Would I ever."
"How long will it take to heal?" he asked
Using his breakfast tray for a table, he
dition. As gently as he could, Ruge finally
one of the nurses.
scrawled a wobbly signature and sent the
filled him in. "Oh, damn. Oh, damn," Rea-
"Ten days to two weeks," she replied.
bill on its way. Later that morning, when
gan blurted, his eyes filling with tears. "Did
"I always heal fast," he said.
Maureen dropped by, Reagan promised
it go into the brain?" Told that the bullet
"Keep up the good work," she told him.
her that he would fly to California in three
had indeed pierced Brady's brain, Reagan
"You mean this may happen several
weeks for her wedding, then visit President
said, "Oh, dear, what's the prognosis?" The
more times?" he asked in mock dismay.
José López Portillo of Mexico. Maybe, said
doctor told him that Brady might be par-
Then the President turned serious. "I
the doctor, adding that the President
tially paralyzed. "We've got to pray," Rea-
heard three or four rounds," he said. "Did
wouldn't be anywhere near a horse for
gan said. When told about McCarthy and
anybody else get hit?" There was an awk-
two months. Vetoing the sawbones, Reagan
Delahanty, he said quietly, "That means
ward silence. David Fischer, the President's
grinned at his daughter and held up a finger
four bullets hit. Good Lord."
personal aide, had instructed them not to
for one month.
Telegrams: As Reagan settled down to
let on about the seriousness of Brady's
The good vibrations were broken shortly
his convalescence, the First Lady bravely
wound or the suffering of McCarthy and
after noon when Dr. Ruge came in to the
kept up her outward composure, but she
Delahanty, explaining that Reagan had
President's comfortable, $234-a-day room.
was suffering deeply. While she had worried
very intense feelings about the people
The First Lady and aides had refused to
constantly about Reagan's safety when he
around him and would be deeply upset—
give Reagan a newspaper because they
was governor of California, she had hoped
and perhaps set back in his recovery-
didn't want him to read about Brady's con-
that his massive electoral popularity last
by the bad news. Through the
November would somehow
night the doctors respected the
McCarthy, Delahanty: A bullet called the Devastator
help protect him. For the first
advice-and evaded the Presi-
AP
UPI photos
three days she slept little. Be-
dent's questions.
tween catnaps she would wake,
Through the day of the shoot-
write in her diary and nibble
ing and all through the night,
fruit; but she lost several
the President's family and
pounds. She brought her hus-
friends murmured prayers and
band a picture of them kissing
rallied round him. "I was al-
at the Inauguration so he
most sure that something like
wouldn't "forget what I looked
this would happen; it's about
like." During the day she set
time the courts decide the fun
up shop in a room next to the
is over," said the President's
President's. She was surround-
brother, Neil Reagan, 72. The
ed by boxes containing thou-
President's son Ron, 22, flew
sands of telegrams. She com-
in from Lincoln, Neb., where
forted other friends who
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
37
SPECIAL REPORT
for Haig to carry to Israel, Egypt, Jordan
the penalty for attempted murder is life
and Saudi Arabia. Weinberger briefed Rea-
imprisonment. Hinckley was also charged
phoned, and winnowed through get-well
gan on his trip this week to a NATO meet-
for shooting agent McCarthy, another Fed-
gifts for items to cheer the President. Per-
ing in Europe on nuclear policy. It was
eral crime, and he could still be indicted
haps the most successful was a giant horse
business-almost-as-usual-under very try-
for assaulting Brady and Delahanty.
head made of chrysanthemums-with a
ing circumstances (page 39).
Around 10:30 on the day of the shoot-
mane of jelly beans.
The suffering of Brady, Delahanty and
ing, the Feds brought Hinckley to a Fed-
Reagan improved steadily: progressing
McCarthy cast a pall over what might have
eral court for a bail hearing. Security was
from Jell-O to chicken soup, carrot sticks
been a happy ending to the crisis. But the
tight. Court stenographers, lawyers, em-
and homemade coconut ice cream, his fa-
others also began to improve. By the end
ployees and even the cleaning women all
vorite. But even as the atmosphere started
of the week, when a doctor asked Brady
had to pass through a metal detector. FBI
to brighten, the FBI placed an urgent call
what he did for a living, he said, "I answer
director William Webster sat in the court-
to the doctors treating Delahanty. The FBI
questions." And when the doctor asked for
room ("It was on my watch," he said).
lab had determined that Hinckley had been
whom, the fallen press secretary replied
Federal magistrate Arthur L. Burnett ex-
firing particularly vicious exploding bullets
quickly, "For anyone who asks them." In-
plained Hinckley's rights to him and asked
called Devastators that fragmented on im-
formed of the progress of the others, Reagan
if he understood the charges against him.
pact. FBI technicians warned that the slug
said, "Oh that's great news, just great news,
"Yes, sir," Hinckley said softly, showing
lodged in Delahanty's neck near his spinal
especially about Jim," then broke up callers
no emotion. Did he have a job? "No, sir."
cord might still contain a live charge and
by quipping, "We'll have to get four bed-
Any dependents? "No, sir." Could he pay
explode. Delahanty's physicians had in-
pans and have a reunion." Later he was
$1,000 as a down payment or retainer to
tended to leave it in place, avoiding an op-
visited by McCarthy. "When your children
a lawyer? "No, sir." So the judge appoint-
eration that might injure his spinal nerves
come, tell them that their father put himself
ed two court lawyers to represent him.
and paralyze him. They explained the new
between me and that guy," Reagan told
Rocky's Pawn Shop: Ruff argued that
danger to Delahanty and he agreed to an
the wounded agent. "I'm proud that there
Hinckley was a drifter who should be held
operation. A volunteer team of neurosur-
are guys around here to take those kinds
without bail, "This is not a man with a
geons, avoiding the hot cauterizing instru-
of jobs."
clean record," he said. The previous Oc-
ments normally used-for fear of setting
While the victims were mending, the FBI
tober, Ruffsaid, Hinckley had been arrested
off the Devastator-succeeded in extract-
was attending to Hinckley. The day of the
at the airport in Nashville, Tenn., for pack-
ing the slug, and the crisis passed.
shooting, a ten-car police motorcade hus-
ing two .22-caliber handguns and a .38 re-
Letters: As the days wore on, the Presi-
tled him from D.C. police headquarters
volver. Jimmy Carter was in town that day
dent made a remarkably swift recovery,
to the FBI's Washington field office on
at Opryland, but no one had drawn any
set back only by a temporary fever. The
the Anacostia River called Buzzards Point.
connections; he was fined $50 and his guns
First Lady brought him his slippers and
While the G-men interrogated him, lawyers
were confiscated. Just four days later in
robe and he did some walking: 50 yards
at the office of Charles F. C. Ruff, U.S.
Dallas he had bought two more 22-caliber
or so at first. The last hospital tubes were
attorney for the District of Columbia, began
Saturday-night specials at Rocky's Pawn
removed, and the White House allowed
to draw up the charges against him. The
Shop on East Elm Street-not far from
a first, postoperative photograph. After his
goal of the prosecutors was to present
where John F. Kennedy was shot. Later
first full eight hours of sleep, Reagan got
evidence showing that Hinckley had at-
in Denver, Hinckley had purchased a new
back to matters of state. He received a Na-
tempted to kill Reagan, not just wound
.38. Not long afterward he had set off on
tional Security Council briefing. Haig gave
him. The distinction was important. The
a three-day cross-country bus trip that had
him a preflight rundown on his trip to the
maximum penalty for simply assaulting the
brought him to Washington-and his dead-
Middle East, and Reagan dictated letters
President is $10,000 and ten years in jail;
ly appointment with the President.
The outline of Hinckley's odyssey was
Tears and anger: The President's brother, Neil, daughter Maureen
enough for the judge. He agreed to hold
AP
UPI
him temporarily without bail (to do so
permanently might have violated the sus-
pect's constitutional rights). Hinckley
was led away and taken to the brig at
the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico,
Va., where he was clapped into a 6- by
10-foot cell under round-the-clock guard.
Later, his father hired the respected Wash-
ington law firm of Williams & Connolly
to represent him.
The immediate question was whether
Hinckley was mentally competent to stand
trial. A psychiatrist from Washington's
Department of Human Resources exam-
ined him and tentatively found him fit to
stand trial. A magistrate ordered a more
thorough examination. Then Hinckley,
wearing a bulletproof vest, was flown by
helicopter to the Federal Correctional In-
stitution near Durham, N.C., where he
was put in isolation for his own protection
while he undergoes psychiatric evaluation.
It was likely to be a long time before he
stands trial. But Hinckley, the glum wan-
derer who had never amounted to much,
had already found his niche.
TOM MATHEWS and the Washington bureau
38
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
SPECIAL REPORT
Karl Schumacher-The White House
Bush runs a Cabinet meeting from the Vice President's chair: A carefully concerted campaign to demonstrate 'business as usual'
Who's Minding the Store
Amid the gaiety of his
visit a day from Meese, Baker and Deaver
price supports. He also approved a number
70th birthday party at
(usually together) last week and got a writ-
of Presidential appointments during the
the White House in Feb-
ten briefing every morning as well from
week and an Executive order slashing duty-
ruary, Ronald Reagan suddenly leaned over
national-security adviser Richard V. Allen.
free imports. "Anything of consequence is
to Barbara Bush to ask "a very personal
He also received a series of "summary de-
going to him," says a senior staffer.
question" about the Vice President. "Is
cision memos"-short reports on policy
Milkshake Crisis: Bush picked up the
George happy with his job?" Reagan asked.
meetings he was not able to attend-and
President's public duties tactfully and
"I just want to be sure he's doing enough.
a daily log of Congressional activities. At
smoothly, combining much of Reagan's
If the awful-awful should happen, George
daily schedule with his own and canceling
should know everything." Reagan's con-
all out-of-town trips (although he did plan
cern seemed particularly prophetic last
Bush pinch-hits for
to fill in for the President at Tuskegee
week as George Bush moved confidently
Institute in Alabama this week). Bush re-
to assume many of the wounded President's
the President, but
ceived a daily national-security briefing at
official obligations-presiding over Cabinet
meetings, promoting the Reagan budget,
Reagan's three top
the White House from the NSC's Allen,
presided over several Cabinet meetings
posing with foreign dignitaries. But in a
aides remain firmly
and did not hesitate to order additional
concerted campaign of gestures and inter-
staff work. He met with Congressional
views, Bush and White House aides insisted
in control of things.
leaders and made a personal trip to Capitol
that Reagan himself remains in control and
Hill to talk up the Reagan budget (page
that throughout the Administration it is
72)-a subject he pressed as well with 40
very much "business as usual."
the George Washington University Hos-
visiting labor leaders. Bush also met with
Although controversy still swirled
pital, Reagan's suite became the heart of
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Mieczyslaw
around Secretary of State Alexander Haig
a ten-room White House annex. Special
Jagielski and announced the Administra-
(page 40), the Administration was running
communications gear was installed, and
tion's decision to provide new aid to crisis-
fairly smoothly, largely because of Reagan's
Reagan's longtime personal secretary, He-
torn Poland (page 62). His new schedule
longstanding style of leadership-more 9-
lene von Damm, set up a desk for the du-
caused only one minor problem-a diges-
to-5 board chairman than chief operating
ration of his stay. Less than fourteen hours
tive crise after Bush bolted down some
officer. Daily business is directed by Rea-
after his surgery, Reagan signed in wobbly
pepperoni pizza and a milkshake for din-
gan's three top aides-White House coun-
script a bill to block an increase in dairy-
ner late one night. "I didn't sleep too well,"
selor Edwin Meese III, chief of staff James
he laughed the next day.
A. Baker III and deputy chief of staff Mi-
Convalescent bill-signing: No auto-pen
Bush is careful to clear things with Meese
chael K. Deaver. "All the critical aspects
and Baker. "I want to do what I can
of government remain the same," says one
I want to do it through you," the
senior staffer. Says another: "If we have
President told Reagan's senior aid
to have a decision, that's when we go over
[to see Reagan]. But a President is not called
Reagan is kept informed on the most
Rones Regan
morning after the shooting, a*
tained his deferential post
on to make a decision every day."
the week. "On anything
I's
one Reagan man, "the
the
serious matters. He received at least one
ways says, 'We'd better a.
80
armly
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
41
SPECIAL REPORT
"auto-pen" that automatically signs routine
larly because of the trouble with Haig.
letters, notes and photographs in Reagan's
White House sources insist there has been
the President'.' Bush tried to avoid any
hand. The White House also delayed the
no friction among the Big Three-Mease,
inadvertent self-aggrandizement; he ran
scheduled announcement by Reagan of a
Baker and Deaver. "If any one of them
Cabinet meetings from the Vice President's
regulatory relief package for the nation's
has a strong view on anything, the other
seat, conducted business in the Vice Presi-
ailing auto industry-and of a "briefing
two go along," said one insider. "Their de-
dent's offices and even posed with Poland's
mission" to Tokyo, headed by U.S. Trade
sire to cooperate is so extreme that the
Jagielski so as to avoid having the White
Representative William E. Brock, aimed at
only question they ever ask is, 'What's best
House loom up symbolically behind him.
cutting Japanese auto imports.
for the President?' During his convales-
For all the deft coping, Reagan's con-
Friction? At the weekend there was a
cence, more than ever, Ronald Reagan
dition did cause some delays in the affairs
report of "discord" between the two top
must rely on that kind of dedication to
of state. A number of military appointments
White House staffers. At first they
keep his Administration running smoothly.
were postponed, as were several previously
laughed-"You'll be surprised to learn we
scheduled briefing sessions for Reagan. The
have friction," Baker told Meese-but they
DAVID M. ALPERN with THOMAS M. DeFRANK.
ELEANOR CLIFT and JAMES DOYLE
President's men even suspended use of the
were also disturbed by the report, particu-
in Washington
'I Am In Control Here'
phones were," says a source who was present. "He was the
only guy who knew how to talk to the Vice President's plane."
Another top aide speculated that Haig had rushed on camera
With the President undergoing surgery and the Vice Presi-
before pausing to collect himself. "The unsteadiness of his
dent rushing back from Texas, Ronald Reagan's Cabinet as-
television performance didn't match the steadiness of his per-
sembled in the situation room of the White House. Suddenly,
formance downstairs," he insisted. One reason for Haig's I'm-
Alexander Haig bolted from the room. "What's he doing?"
in-charge bluster, according to partisans, was to send a pointed
asked startled aides. "Where's he going?" A few minutes later
message to the Soviet Union, which was massing troops on
Haig was on nationwide television, his voice quavering, his
the Polish border. "He wanted it known our guard was still
face ashen. "I am in control here he proclaimed. But
up," says a sympathetic official.
he clearly wasn't-and once again he had plunged himself
Credibility: Still, the we-love-Al chorus seemed rather
into conflict with his own Administration colleagues. This
strained. Some officials conceded that the campaign was not
time Haig's embarrassing performance threatened to undercut
so much an endorsement of Haig's behavior as an urgent attempt
his authority abroad as he embarked on his first foreign mission
to boost his credibility. "It was important to send a message
to the Middle East. The gaffe also raised a new round of
to the Hill," says a White House topsider. "There's been a
doubts about Haig's coolness under fire and heightened spec-
certain amount of chatter up there. This man has been gouged
ulation that he could not long survive as Secretary of State.
in public." As Haig departed for the Middle East, the White
Even Haig's friends were taken aback by the televised dis-
House felt it necessary to take the extraordinary step of publicly
comfiture of the four-star general who had steered Richard
endorsing its chief architect of foreign policy. "The Secretary
Nixon through his last crisis. "I've never seen him like that
of State leaves today in the full colors as Secretary of State,"
before," said a State Department colleague who has known
emphasized a spokesman-"and with the full confidence of
Haig for years. "He was crack-
the President."
ing emotionally." In Congressional
'Everything's fine, Chief-in fact, we've just been
But this may not be enough to
cloakrooms even his Republican al-
doing some papering in the Cabinet Room'
assuage the doubts of Haig's foreign
lies complained about Haig's four-
G 1981 Herblock in The Washington Post
hosts. An official of the United
minute torrent of what one called
Arab Emirates told the Associated
"dingbat" misstatements on the
Press that Haig "should not expect
Presidential succession and the
much from us until we are sure the
state of military readiness. "I can
Washington leadership is no longer
understand his perception of the
disunited." In Washington, Haig's
need to reassure," said Democratic
future in the Reagan Administra-
Sen. Joseph Biden, a persistent Haig
tion seems uncertain. "I just hope
critic. "But the Secretary's action
he now understands how we work,"
had an entirely opposite effect."
sighs one senior official. "It's a gen-
'Contact Point: As the devas-
tlemanly give-and-take, not con-
tating reviews poured in, the Ad-
frontational." State Department of-
ministration moved to limit the
ficials worry that, if the pragmatic
damage to its senior Cabinet offi-
Haig steps down, American foreign
cer. Reports of White House dis-
HAIG
PROBLEM
policy will be dominated by White
may over Haig's performance were
House political coordinator Lyn
"honest-to-God baloney," chief of
Nofziger, Sen. Jesse Helms and oth-
staff James Baker told NEWSWEEK
er theologians of the right. Even
flatly. Other White House aides
Haig's close aides rate his chances
who earlier had sniped at Haig went
for keeping his job at less than even.
out of their way to praise him as
Haig's first venture abroad had thus
an effective "contact point" during
become a mission not only to shore
the first hour of the crisis. As a
up America's standing in the Mid-
Nixon White House veteran, Haig
dle East, but also to salvage his own
was the Cabinet officer most famil-
eroding position at home.
iar with situation-room procedures.
STEVEN STRASSER with ELEANOR
"He was the only guy who knew
CLIFT, THOMAS M. DeFRANK,
HOWARD FINEMAN and JOHN
what to do, who knew where the
WALCOTT in Washington
38
What the Doctors Did
"I can't breathe,"
than a dozen units of blood and prepared
anesthetic thiopental sodium and then
whispered Ronald Rea-
for transfusion. Although Reagan is type
passed a tube down his throat so that a
gan. He was sweating
O-positive, at first they used O-negative,
respirator could aid his breathing. Then
and gray-faced, sagging toward the floor'
which can be given to anyone regardless
they put him to sleep with nitrous oxide
as he walked into the emergency room and
of his blood type, and later used O-positive
administered through a mask. "We will fol-
was lifted onto a wheeled table. Quick hands
to replace the 2½ quarts lost from the time
low routine trauma protocol," Giordano
began stripping off his clothes. "We don't
of injury. In many such gunshot wounds,
announced to his colleagues.
think he's hit," said a Secret Service man.
the lung reinflates and the bleeding stops
The first order of business was peritoneal
"We think he broke a rib when we pushed
when the chest tube is inserted, and the
lavage, a procedure to double-check for in-
him against the car." But a doctor had
bullet can be left where it is without any
juries in the abdominal cavity. Giordano
already spotted the bullet hole in the Presi-
risk. But Reagan continued to bleed.
made a small incision under the navel and
dent's suit jacket-and the medical team
"What are we doing, Joe?" asked Dr.
pumped a clear liquid into the abdomen.
at George Washington University Hospital
Sol Edelstein, chief of the emergency room.
The liquid that drained back out seemed
that was to save the lives of the President
"Are we headed to ICU or are we headed
free of blood, showing that no organs had
and his press secretary was already well
to OR?" Edelstein wanted to know whether
been damaged. But to make sure, the fluid
into its practiced routine.
intensive care would be enough, or if an
was sent to the lab for analysis. After 45
The President was exhibiting early symp-
minutes Giordano turned his patient over
toms of shock. Though alert, Reagan was
to the thoracic surgeons, Aaron and Dr.
gasping for air and sweating, and his blood
How the surgeons
Katherine Chaney.
pressure had dropped. Paged on the hos-
Incision: The President was turned on
pital's speakers, Dr. Joseph M. Giordano,
treated Reagan's
his right side with his arms taped in front
head of the trauma team, hurried to the
of him. The team removed the chest tube
emergency room, where Reagan's blood
wounded chest
to get more room and then made a 6-inch
pressure quickly recovered after he lay
and James Brady's
incision, from under the left nipple to
down. The doctor gave the President a local
the left side. The President's ribs were
anesthetic and then inserted a tube into
injured brain.
spread apart by a metal retractor and, wear-
the lung cavity just beneath the bullet hole
ing a lamp on his forehead, Aaron peered
under his left arm. Other physicians and
into the chest. He first removed a large
technicians drew blood samples, hooked
operation was urgent. Surgeon Benjamin
clot of blood and then began searching for
up an oxygen mask and intravenous tubes
Aaron, 47, decided to operate. As the team
the bullet. The surgeon determined that
to monitor blood gases and administer
prepared for the 200-foot journey to the
neither the heart nor the aorta, the body's
blood, and inserted a catheter to measure
"heart room," fully equipped for major
main artery, had sustained any injury. But
urine flow. On a chest X-ray, the bullet
chest and heart surgery, Edelstein cau-
failing to find the bullet, he ordered another
showed up as a white spot in the lower
tioned the technicians: "We are going slow,
X-ray-a side view of the chest. After half
lobe of the left lung. It had torn a 3-inch
slow, slow." The President was propped
an hour Aaron found the "Devastator" ex-
furrow through the lung, deflating it as
at a 30-degree angle on the wheeled cart,
plosive slug, removed it with a probe and
it went. But the physicians couldn't be sure
or gurney, awake and talking to his wife
handed it to a Secret Service agent, who
whether they had spotted the entire bullet
and aides as he passed; his vital signs were
carried it away in a metal cup. It had failed
or whether fragments had broken off and
still "rock stable," a doctor said later, and
to explode on impact, but was flattened
struck organs in the abdominal cavity. Fur-
there was no need to risk anyone stumbling
to the size and shape of a dime, suggesting
ther X-rays of the abdomen reassured them.
over one of the tubes threaded into him.
that it had ricocheted off the Presidential
Meanwhile, the President continued to
In the operating room, the team gave
limousine before striking Reagan.
bleed steadily through the tube in his chest.
the President an intravenous dose of the
Aaron then sutured the tear in the lung,
Quickly, the trauma team set up more
Christoph Blumrich-NEWSWEEx
removed the retractor and closed the
REAGAN'S CHEST WOUND
Aaron: Searching for the bullet
Giordano: Routine trauma protocol
Photos by Leif Skoogfors-Woodfin Camp & Assoc.
2
3
4
c
Heart
5
Bullet
6
enters
here.
Bullet lodges
in lung.
Bullet ricochets
off seventh rib.
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
SPECIAL REPORT
brain tissue, along with the bullet and bone
the center at the base of the brain that
fragments.
controls respiration and consciousness and
chest incision. During the operation, Rea-
Kobrine made a "bicoronal" incision
Brady had gotten prompt treatment.
gan was given another quart of blood. "Skin
across the top of Brady's head from ear
The day after surgery, Brady showed
to skin," the surgery had taken two hours.
to ear. Next, he drilled a number of holes
hopeful signs. He was conscious, his pup:ls
But before Reagan was taken to the re-
in the skull and removed a "large window"
responded to light and he was able to move
covery room, the team spent another hour
of bone. Then he took out bone splinters
the right side of his body in response to
scrubbing off the orange povidone-iodine
and bullet fragments from the left frontal
commands from doctors. Later, he could
disinfectant that covered the chest area,
lobe, where he found the damage "not too
even toss a cotton ball to his wife, Sarah,
dressing the wounds and waiting for the
extensive." On the right side of Brady's
with his right hand. And when a doctor
anesthesia to wear off.
brain, Kobrine suctioned out a large blood
held up three fingers, Brady said, "Three."
The President's first hours in the recov-
clot. He found "brisk bleeding" from the
Following surgery, Brady was put on anti-
ery room were uncomfortable. "He felt like
anterior and middle cerebral arteries, which
biotics to prevent infection, and given ster-
he couldn't breathe," said one physician.
had been severed. When the bleeding was
oids and a drug called mannitol to reduce
Analysis of his blood showed that he wasn't
brought under control, Brady's blood pres-
the swelling of the brain.
assimilating quite enough oxygen at first,
sure dropped to a normal range. Finally,
'Fine': Kobrine reported that he was mak-
and he continued on the respirator for eight
Kobrine removed the damaged tissue, frag-
ing an "extraordinary recovery." By the
and a half hours. At the time, he was un-
ments and the main bullet fragment. The
weekend, he was off the critical list, and
aware that press sécretary James Brady was
surgeon estimated that Brady lost 20 per
out of intensive care. The press secretary
lying in critical condition just the oth-
was speaking short sentences. He told
er side of a cloth screen.
the surgeon, "I'm feeling fine," and
Brady was by far the most seriously
BRADY'S HEAD INJURY
when a telephone started to ring he
injured in the assassination attempt.
said, "Somebody answer the phone."
He had arrived at the hospital in a
Speech, under-
Brady was able to move his right arm
fire-department ambulance three
Breathing
standing, infor-
and leg normally, but showed little
minutes after Reagan and was
mation processing
movement on the left. Though it is
wheeled to the same trauma room.
Largest
too early to speculate, Kobrine pre-
"I saw the bullet wound in his fore-
portion
dicted that left motor function will
head. It was over the left eye," said
of bullet
improve significantly if there are no
lodges
Bullet and
paramedic Roberto Hernandez. "He
here.
bone
further complications. Moreover,
was moving his arms and legs, but
fragments
since the "dominant" left side of the
to no purpose. He was sort of like
retrieved.
brain was harmed only slightly, the
squirming." In the emergency room,
surgeon said there was a good chance
Brady was met by a neurosurgical
Nerves of
that Brady has suffered little or no
resident and an anesthesiologist. His
vision
intellectual impairment. However,
blood pressure was a very high 240
and smell
he suspects that "spatial orienta-
over 160. He was moving his right
tion," governed by the right side of
limbs restlessly and he seemed to be
Personality
the brain, may have been affected,
Sensation,
mumbling. He was given an anes-
judgment,
left side
and since the olfactory tracts in the
mood
thetic and a tube was placed in his
of body
right hemisphere were destroyed, the
windpipe to assist breathing.
Bullet
gourmet Brady has probably lost his
Fragments: The bullet entered
Motion, left
enters
sense of taste and smell.
Brady's head over the left eye and
side of body
Areas of potential
and
President Reagan, however, was
passed through a small portion of
brain damage
breaks
making a speedy recovery last week.
the left frontal lobe of the brain with-
up.
He was receiving cough therapy to
out causing much damage. But it did
Christoph Blumrich-NEWSWEEx
prevent fluid from accumulat-
break up somewhere inside the skull;
Drawing shows bullet's path through
ing in his lungs and occasional
the fragments passed mostly through
the brain
administrations of oxygen
the right frontal lobe, causing severe
through a plastic tube under
bleeding and tissue damage. The largest
cent of the tissue in the right
his nose. He was also eating
piece of the bullet came to rest in the parietal
hemisphere. Kobrine replaced
heartily and walking in his hos-
lobe at the rear of the brain behind the
the flap of skull and inserted
pital corridor. The only cause
right ear, with smaller fragments around
temporary drains between the
for concern came late in the
it. At first, the outlook was bleak. A cross-
bone and skin.
week when Reagan's tempera-
sectional X-ray taken in the emergency
In two crucial respects,
ture rose to 102. However, after
room looked, in the words of one physician,
Brady can be considered
some fluctuations it dropped
like a "disaster."
lucky. He had been hit by a
to normal. There was a brief
Brady was immediately taken to the op-
small-caliber bullet of low ve-
scare that toxic amounts of
erating room, where his head was shaved
locity, minimizing the damage
lead azide-the explosive used
usually caused by the shock
AP
in preparation for surgery that was to last
in the bullet-might have
more than six hours. Neurosurgeon Dr.
waves and the sheer mass of
Kobrine: Optimistic
leached into the President's
Arthur Kobrine tried to be optimistic.
a larger slug. And nearly all
body, but this was discounted
When he heard that the media had reported
the left side of the brain had apparently
by experts. Throughout the President's or-
that the press secretary was already dead,
been spared. In most people, the left side
deal, doctors were impressed by his good
Kobrine replied, "Somebody ought to tell
is the brain's information-processing center
condition and youthful physiology. "It's
me and the patient." An ophthalmologist
and controls the faculties of speech, writing
a good lesson," said the hospital's spokes-
was called in to deal with swelling and
and comprehension. The motor areas of
man, Dr. Dennis O'Leary, "that age itself
a clot in the left eye, and he made several
the left side also control movement on the
is not an ultimate measure of an individual's
incisions to drain blood and relieve pres-
right side of the body. Fortunately, the
stamina, health and capability."
sure. Then Kobrine moved in to explore
shock of the bullet and the swelling from
MATT CLARK with MARY HAGER and
the injury and remove all of the damaged
the injury had not affected the brain stem,
DAVID C. MARTIN in Washington and bureau reports
46
NEWSWEEK/APRIL 13, 1981
THE WASHINGTON POST
Sunday, April 5, 1981
The Day of the Jackal in Washington
At the Hospital
"Situation negative," the advance
agent replied.
At the shooting scene, agents had
By Lou Cannon
The quiet ended in the rapid fire of
overwhelmed a young blond man later
Washington Post Staff Writer
a handgun and screams from the
identified as John Warnock Hinckley
It began as an ordinary spring day in
crowd, Within nine seconds six shots
Jr. They piled him into a police car
Washington: light showers, the usual lines of
had been fired in rapid succession at
and took him away.
tourists at the White House, a routine speech
the presidential party.
Before the limousine reached the
by the president.
One shot hit Secret Service agent
hospital, nurses had cleared space in
Then, gunfire. For six hours the nation
Timothy J. McCarthy, who thrust
the resuscitation bay for the shooting
watched and wondered. Would the president
himself between President Reagan
victims. A first radio message has told
live? Would he survive and be disabled?
and the gunman, in the stomach.
them there has been a shooting and
Would the nation be plunged into constitu-
One shot hit District police officer
that "some men" have been hurt. A
tional crisis?
Thomas K. Delahanty in the neck.
second message informed them that
It was 2:24 p.m. Monday, March 31. Mi-
One shot, although no one knew it
one was the president of the United
chael K. Deaver wasn't supposed to be at the
immediately, bounced off the armored
States.
Washington Hilton. He was supposed to be
limousine and hit Reagan in the chest,
At 2:35 p.m. the limousine arrived
back in the White House working on the
penetrating his left lung. Yet another
at George Washington. Reagan was
president's schedule. But it was a busy day
hit a window in a building across the
feeling pain in his chest and was hav-
street and fragmented.
at the office for chief of staff James A. Baker
ing difficulty breathing. As he got out
III, and Deaver, his deputy, had volunteered
And one shot, the shot that did the
of the car, D.C. paramedic Roberto
most damage, struck White House
Hernandez recognized the limousine.
to go in his place with President Reagan
when he addressed the Building Trades
press secretary Brady over the left
On inaugural day he had been as-
Council.
eye, penetrating his brain. Brady fell,
signed to the ambulance that followed
No one noticed the gunman before the
with blood gushing from his head. An
the new president around Washing-
advance man, Rick Ahearn, put a
ton.
firing began. No one particularly saw him, or
white handkerchief under Brady's
"I literally froze," Hernandez said
head. It quickly turned red with
afterward. "I didn't believe what I was
blood.
actually seeing. I noticed he looked
very pale and he had an apprehensive
In a matter of seconds Parr had
look about him
The stare in his
shoved Reagan into the limousine and
eyes was like he was in a slight daze."
pulled the door shut, He commanded
Reagan got out of the car. He
the driver, Drew Unrue, to pull away,
walked to the emergency room, his
Aing
and the presidential limousine sped
out
face drawn, Parr's arm around him.
THE PASS started ask-
from the scene. A staff control car,
Incredibly, no one had thought to
-ual questions. I turned and
with Deaver Inside, followed.
order a stretcher to be ready for him.
When the president entered the emer-
"You son-of-a-bitch, you broke my
gency room, he feil to one knee.
rib," Reagan said to Parr inside the
"I can't breathe," he said.
limousine. He was joking, but he was
For a moment the workers in the
hurting from the blow.
resuscitation bay were stunned. "Is
Later in the week the president
that who I think it is?" a nurse asked.
would tell Deaver that he hadn't real-
Then they sprang into action. Her-
ized he had been hit by a bullet but
nandez removed Reagan's shoes, socks
that he certainly knew he had been
and pants while his partner Eric Sim-
hit.
mons cut off his shirt.
"It was a blow like I never felt,"
the
presidential
detail,
"All I could think of was Parkland,"
never
saw
the
gun-
Reagan
said.
"It
was
like
someone
man, either. The gunman was shielded by hitting me with a hammer as hard as
Deaver said, referring to the Dallas
the crowd.
hospital where John F. Kennedy was
they could."
taken.
Secret Service agents had looked over this Parr, not knowing that the presi-
crowd, as they always do. It is not easy to dent had been shot, originally ordered
But Deaver, a short, quiet, patient
spot a concealed gunman in a friendly crowd.
the
limousine
to
return
to
the
White
man who knows Reagan better than
House. But when he saw Reagan
anyone on the White House staff and
Thirty seconds before the president arrived
at the hotel, Parr had received a favorable
coughing blood, the bright-red oxygen-
was treated like a son by him, was
situation report.
ated blood that comes from the lung,
busy with other matters. Cool and
"Rawhide follow to Rawhide advance," he
he and the president thought a rib
collected, Deaver found a telephone
had been broken by the protective
bay outside the emergency ward and
said, using the code word for the president.
shove. Parr told Unrue to drive to
called the White House. He reached
"Situation report?"
George Washington University Hospi-
Margaret Tutwiler, the secretary to
tal instead of the White House. He:
chief of staff Baker.
radioed the control car and told
"Keep this line open, Margaret," he
Deaver where he was going.
said. "There's been a shooting, and
the president's hurt. We don't think
he was hit, but he may have broken
-2-
Gergen went to find White House
At the White House
counselor Edwin Mecse III, the presi-
Outside the resuscitation bay,
At the White House they already
dent's top aide, who was with his dep-
Deaver and aide David Fisher kept
knew about the shooting. But they
uty, Craig Fuller. They already knew.
the telephone lines open to the White
did not know much about what had
Baker ran down to the Secret Service
House. Deaver had Nancy Reagan
happened or that the president had
command post in the basement to
called immediately. He also asked
been shot.
find out what had happened. It was
Tutwiler to tell his secretary to call
about 2:35 p.m., the time of Reagan's
his wife, Carolyn, and tell her that he
Baker had been working in his of-
arrival at the hospital.
was unharmed, but Deaver's secretary,
fice through the morning. At 1 p.m.
Shirley Moore, had already done SO.
he went to the White House mess to
At the Hotel
Meanwhile, Brady and McCarthy
eat his usual lunch: a tunafish salad
had arrived at the hospital, and Dela-
Back at the Hilton, the ambulances
sandwich and buttermilk. Brady and
hanty had been taken to Washington
had borne away the wounded men,
his deputy, Larry Speakes, were fin-
Hospital Center. Brady looked bad
ishing their lunch as Baker and Tut-
leaving behind the remnants of the
and his blood pressure was dangerous-
wiler arrived. They exchanged pleas-
shooting: an umbrella. a dropped
briefcase, the bloody sidewalk grate
ly high. To the paramedics, McCarthy
looked best of all.
antries, and Brady said he was going
where Brady fell.
"Are you still with us?" a fellow
to the Hilton for Reagan's speech.
Prosperi, knowing that the presi-
The first word at the White House
agent asked him. "Oh, yes," McCarthy
dential limousine had started out for
quickly replied.
that something had gone wrong came
the White House, mistakenly believed
in a telephone call from David Pros-
At 2:36 p.m. Mrs. Reagan arrived
the president had arrived there, and
at the hospital She wanted to see her
peri, an assistant press secretary. He
SO informed the press. One eyewitness,
was at the scene where the shots were
husband immediately, but was told by
Ramon Flores, attempted to convince
Deaver that she could not. When she
fired, and he saw Brady go down.
Prosperi rushed into the hotel and
skeptical reporters that Reagan had
did get to see him, he greeted her
grabbed the first telephone he found.
been hit. He shrugged his shoulders
with a line that may become a classic:
It was a charge phone, SO he gave the
when they did not believe him.
"Honey, I forgot to duck."
operator the White House press office
At the Hospital
number and billed the call to his
At the White House
home telephone.
Within minutes at George Washing-
At the White House, events moved
"Get me Larry. It's an emergency,"
ton the resucitation area was crowded
swiftly. Tutwiler had left the first
he said into the telephone.
with members of the trauma team
White House line open for Deaver,
Speakes was just coming out of a
and Secret Service agents. As Dr.
then she rounded up Baker, Meese,
meeting with other White House aides
Dennis O'Leary related later, a nurse
Gergen, Speakes and communications
in the Roosevelt Room on the auto-
trying to take Reagan's blood pressure
director Frank Ursomarso, who were
mobile regulation package that is to
could not hear through the stetho-
in a hall beyond the Oval Office. She
be announced this week. Betsy
scope because of the din and had to
told them Deaver was on the tele-
Strong, a press aide, ran up and told
take it by feeling the pulse in
phone.
him Prosperi was calling. He picked
Reagan's arm. It was only about 75
Baker went into his office and took
up the phone of Kathy Ahern,
low enough to signal that the presi-
one phone. Mecse picked up the other
Brady's secretary.
dent was in danger of shock.
phone on the same line. Baker was at
"The president has been shot at
and Brady has been hit," Prosperi
Quickly, trauma team members in-
his desk. Deaver told them that the
serted an intravenous tube and began
said.
president had been shot.
running fluid into the president's
"Shit," said Meese.
"Thanks," Speakes replied, and
hung up. From the look on his face
veins. They took blood samples to
"Oh, Jesus," said Baker.
the others in the room knew it was a
measure the blood oxygen content and
Both men moved swiftly to do what
crisis.
to match Reagan's blood for a trans-
was necessary. They agreed that the
"I don't know what it looked like,
fusion. Meanwhile, they called for O-
vice president had to be called, and
but it hit pretty hard," Speakes said.
negative blood, the type that can be
that the Cabinet should assemble in
Ahern began to weep.
given to anyone. Reagan's blood type
the White House Situation Room.
is O-positive.
Secretary of State Alexander M.
White House staff director David
R. Gergen was coming out of the
Dr. Joseph M. Giardano, the sur-
Haig Jr. had called, and Baker called
geon who heads the trauma team, was
him back.
same meeting Speakes had attended.
The first instinct of both was to walk
among the first to respond to the
"It's very important how we handle
out on the colonade and watch the
page, and he saw Reagan within five
this world-wide," Haig told Baker,
motorcade return, which they ex-
minutes of his arrival. By then, the
who agreed.
pected momentarily. Instead, Speakes
president's blood pressure had risen to
Treasury Secretary Donald T.
telephoned Jack Warner of the Secret
100, but he was coughing up blood,
Regan was the first Cabinet officer to
his breathing was fast and labored,
reach Baker's office. Treasury is the
Service. Warner knew something had
and the surgeons had discovered the
boss of the Secret Service, and Regan
happened, but did not have the de-
slit-like wound under his left arm.
had been told of the incident within
tails.
Gergen ran down the corridor to
Giardano said that the likelihood of
two minutes of its occurrence. Regan
Baker's office with the news. He burst
a collapsed lung and the danger that
was on a long distance call from Los
into the office, almost knocking down
Reagan might be bleeding from his
Angeles when the call came, and he
Tutwiler, who had her back against
heart or a major blood vessel made it
hung up and went immediately by car
the door.
necessary to insert a chest tube at
across the street to the White House.
once.
At the hospital, Deaver put White
Meanwhile, Dr. Neofytos T. Tsan-
Aaron said he could feel splintering
House physician Daniel Ruge on the
garis, the hospital's acting chief of
of the seventh rib where the bullet
open line, and Baker took notes on
staff, had been summoned from a
had nicked it and ricocheted into the
what Ruge told him: "He [the presi-
meeting by a brief announcement:
chest. Outside the left lung, he found
dent] has received a chest wound in
"The president of the United States is
a large blood clot, and, after he re-
the left chest. He is in stable condi-
in the emergency room." Tsangaris
moved It, he could see where the bul-
tion. The blood pressure and pulse is
said he quickly realized that three
let had entered the lung. Quickly, he
okav. He is alert and fighting. Next
separate operating rooms, one for each
examined the heart and the major
stop could be the operating room. You
shooting victim, must be readied at
vessels nearby. They were untouched.
ought to get right over here."
11
once with nurses, technicians and
All the bleeding was coming from the
Haig arrived. Later, at the State
equipment.
smaller vessels within the torn lung.
Department, a spokesman announced
It was now 3:20 p.m. and Reagan
"We began to feel around for the
that Baker and Meese had left the
was being prepared for surgery. He
bullet
and to our chagrin we could
White House by the time Haig got
had an oxygen mask over his face
not find that bullet within the lung,"
there. It was an incorrect announce-
when Baker saw him, but winked at
he said later. Aaron ordered an X-ray
ment. Regan, Baker and Tutwiler all
-his chief of staff.
taken on the operating table. The bul-
remember that Haig arrived just be-
At 3:30 p.m., approximately 45
let was visible, embedded in a portion
fore Baker and Meese left the office.
minutes after he was been brought to
of the left lung just behind the heart
They talked briefly, and Meese and
the hospital, he was wheeled to the
and "flattened almost as thin as a
Baker agreed that Haig would be the
operating room. His bleeding had
dime," he said.
"contact point" at the White House
slowed somewhat, and he had received
At last Aaron felt the bullet and
while they were at the hospital. No
a transfusion of five units of blood.
pulled it out. Then he removed some
one said anything about anyone being
"Please tell me you're Republicans,"
of the dead lung tissue, inserted a
"in control." But there was a brief
he joked to the masked surgical team
drain into the bullet's track, and
discussion of the 25th Amendment,
surrounding him.
closed the incisions. The president
providing for presidential succession,
After that, according to operating
had been in the operating room for
because no one knew how badly
room technician Michael Borowski,
3½ hours, and apparently was out of
Reagan was hurt. Bush would be back
who helped with instruments during
danger. With a breathing tube in his
by the time they knew, everyone
the operation, the president was quiet.
throat, and still on a respirator, the
agreed.
"I saw Reagan looking around at ev-
president was taken to the recovery
room.
Meese told Tutwiler to get them a
erybody busy doing their thing
There had been anxious moments
car. "I'll handle it," Regan said. He
he recalled later. "I just kind of took
his hand. He had sort of tears in his
for Nancy Reagan during this opera-
directed an agent to get them a siren-
equipped Secret Service car so they
eyes
He really had this look of
tion, moments she spent in a small
appreciation on his face. That's what
private office the hospital made avail-
could speed through traffic to the hos-
able to her and in the chapel, where
pital. Speakes and Lyn Nofziger were
really touched me."
she met Sarah Brady, whose husband
with Meese and Baker.
The first part of the operation re-
Nofziger is a longtime Reagan aide
quired a tiny incision below the navel.
had been erroneously declared dead in
Into the incision Giordano inserted
mid-afternoon reports on all three
who proved a composed man in the
television networks.
day's crisis. He offered to help be-
about a quart of salt solution to deter-
cause "Brady is out of commission,"
mine whether any bullets had pene-)
For 53 minutes after the shooting
not much was known at the White
and everyone was happy to have him.
trated the abdominal cavity and
House press office. It wasn't until 3:18
He and Speakes are old adversaries,
caused bleeding there. When sucked
p.m. that communications director
but they buried their differences on
out again, the fluid was clear, indicat-
Ursomarso stood on veteran press aide
that bloody day.
ing no abdominal injuries.
Connie Gerrard's chair in the upper
Haig, Regan, Gergen and intergov-
A report was given to Baker and
press office to tell a packed crowed of
ernmental relations aide Rich Wil-
Deaver outside the operating room.
reporters that Reagan had been shot.
liamson went down to the Situation
Nancy Reagan was told the good
Every television set was turned on
Room in the White House basement.
news, and tears came to her eyes.
as staff and reporters watched replay
At the hospital Deaver alternated
Borowski said Reagan was then
after replay. The room was full of
his time between Nancy Reagan and
turned on his right side and redraped
people who work with Brady every
the telephones. The grim mood was
for the more major operation, the to-
day, and the replays, particularly
lightened on one occasion when a hos-
racotomy. Assisted by Dr. Kathleen
those in slow motion, made all who
pital clerk with a green form in his
Cheyney, Dr. Benjamin L. Aaron cut
were present think that his chances
hand ran around trying to get some
a six-inch incision through the skin
for survival were slight.
information on the patient. "Who is
parallel with the ribs, extending hori-
Some aides wept for their fallen
he?" the clerk wanted to know.
zontally from below the left arm to-
press secretary. It was pouring rain
"R-e-a-g-a-n," Deaver spelled out.
ward the center of the chest. Then he
outside now, and correspondents who
"You are kidding," the clerk said.
used retractors to spread the ribs
usually would have broadcast from
"I'm not kidding," said Deaver.
apart.
the White-House lawn stood on chairs
in the briefing room to get above the
heads of their milling colleagues and
talked to fill air time.
At 3:37 p.m. Gergen appeared in
phone line to Air Force Two, and
the crowded briefing room.
Some knew they were talking for
Haig was guarded in his communica-
posterity, but others didn't even no-
"Good afternoon," he said. "This is
to confirm the statements made at
tion. He also had a very poor connec-
tice the recorders. What the men in
tion.
the Situation Room wanted to know
George Washington hospital that the
"I think you should come directly
were three things: how badly was the
president was shot once in the left
back to Washington," Haig said.
side this afternoon as he left the hotel.
president hit? Was the shooting a
"There's been an incident." He also
conspiracy or an individual act?
His condition is stable.
told Bush that he would be sending
Would Brady survive?
"A decision is now being made
him a message over the coded Telex
While first reports from the hospi-
whether or not to operate to remove
machine that is the only secure chan-
the bullet. The White House and the
tal seemed to be positive, everyone in
nel of communications between Air
the Situation Room was aware that
vice president are in communication.
Force Two and the ground.
the president was 70 years old and
And the vice president is now en
Bush hung up and turned to his
faced major surgery. They were trying
route to Washington."
aides. "We are going directly back to
to prepare for every contingency.
On Air Force Two
Washington," he said. "I just spoke to
Smith and Fielding briefed the
Haig." It was a quarter of an hour
Cabinet members on constitutional
Going to Washington had not been
later before he learned what had hap-
succession and on the 25th Amend-
George Bush's plan. On a day of rou-
pened.
ment, which spells out the procedures
tine politicking, he had slipped into
"Mr. Vice President, in the incident
for the vice president's assuming office
his blue, Eisenhower-style official
you will have heard about by now, the
in case of presidential disability. The
flight jacket, buckled his seatbelt and
president was struck in the back," the
review was brief, because the Cabinet
settled back for a moment of relax-
Telex from Haig said. "Medical au-
members spent much of the time on
ation as his plane took off from Fort
thorities are deciding now whether or
the telephone and, like millions of
Worth at 2:41 p.m. EST for a short
not to operate. Recommend you re-
other Americans, before the television
hop to Austin.
turn to D.C. at earliest possible mo-
set.
Behind him was a speech to cattle-
ment."
Of those in the Situation Room,
men and the dedication of the former
Quickly, the word was passed
Smith knew Reagan best. He is
Hotel Texas as a national monument
through the plane. House Majority
Reagan's long-time attorney, a charter
- it was the hotel where John F.
Leader Jim Wright (D-Tex.) walked
member of the "kitchen cabinet" and
Kennedy had spent his last night be-
into the front cabin, and Bush turned
a close friend. He also has jurisdiction
fore that fatal trip to Dallas. Ahead,
to him and said, "Why in the world
over the FBI, and was on the tele-
in Austin, awaited an address to the
would anybody shoot a man like Ron-
phone immediately, checking on
Texas Legislature and a news confer-
ald Reagan?"
Hinckley.
ence.
Air Force Two did not have enough
The readout from the FBI showed
Air Force Two was still climbing, a
fuel on board to make it to Washing-
that the suspect carried psychiatrists'
couple of minutes later, when Edward
ton nonstop, so the plane landed in
cards in his pocket, which convinced
Pollard, head of the vice president's
Austin as scheduled, but only for refu-
them that he probably was acting on
Secret Service detail, took an urgent
eling. Bush stayed on board, sipping
his own.
message from the Fort Worth office.
on a diet cola and saying very little.
Smith was outwardly calm, but his
He was told of the assassination at-
thoughts, like Deaver's, went back to
tempt, and was told that the presi-
At the White House
the day John F. Kennedy was shot
dent had not been hit. And he also
At the White House, Cabinet mem-
and the pall it cast over the nation.
was informed, incorrectly, that two
bers and other high White House offi-
He was relieved to hear that Reagan
Secret Service agents were down. Pol-
cials assembled in the Situation
was trying out one-liners on the doc-
lard immediately relayed this message
Room: Attorney General William
tors, knowing, as he would say later,
to Bush.
French Smith, Defense Secretary
"that this was a sign of normalcy."
Bush nodded quietly and began
Caspar W. Weinberger, Transporta-
Weinberger had been told by his
talking of the possibility of shortening
tion Secretary Drew Lewis, National
secretary that he was wanted at the
his Austin stopover. The telephone
Security Council staff director Richard
Situation Room. At first, he couldn't
line flashed again. This time it was
V. Allen, domestic adviser Martin An-
find a car, and thought of taking a
Bush's press secretary, Peter Teeley,
derson, CIA Director William J.
taxi, but CIA Deputy Director Bobby
with a message identical to the one
Casey, counsel Fred Fielding. Hours
Inman was visiting him, and he of-
Pollard had given.
later, Commerce Secretary Malcolm
fered to take the defense secretary to
The vice president's chief legislation
Baldrige would arrive.
the White House.
aide, Robert V. Thompson, rushed
back to the VIP section in mid-plane
There were so many people rushing
When Weinberger arrived, Haig was
back and forth that Allen tried to
making telephone calls on the only
and announced to the assembled
close the door to the Situation Room
secure phone in the Situation Room.
Bush aides and three Texas congress-
to keep some of the staff members
Weinberger stepped outside to call
men that an attempt had been made
out. Allen put a tape recorder on the
Gen. David Jones, chairman of the
on the president's life.
table in the center of the room along
Joint Chiefs of Staff. They discussed
Up front, at 3:04 p.m., Haig tele-
with another that was already there.
the combat-readiness of American
phoned Bush. There is no secure tele-
forces, and Weinberger, after receiving
unspecified classified information on a
little white slip of paper, directed
Jones to order "a little higher state of
readiness," but one that was short of a
full alert.
-5-
Other Cabinet members were mak-
Haig was then asked who was mak-
Afterward, both Haig and Weinber-
ing similar determinations in their
ing decisions for the government at
ger would try to minimize the ex-
areas of responsibility.
the time, and responded, "Constitu-
change, which lasted only a few
Regan told Treasury Undersecre-
tionally, gentlemen, you have the
minutes. Haig responded to criticisms
tary for Monetary Affairs Beryl
president, the vice president and the
of his appearance by saying that he
Sprinkel to tell the Federal Reserve
secretary of state, in that order, and
was winded from running up the
that the dollar should be supported
should the president decide he wants
stairs.
on foreign exchange markets. After-
to transfer the helm to the vice presi-
"I may have been quivery, but I've
ward, Regan described his action as "a
dent, he will do SO. He has not done
been through 50 times worse than
normal procedure that has been done
that. As of now, I am in control here,
that," he said.
before" when some crisis threatens the
in the White House, pending return of
dollar's value.
the vice president and in close touch
At the Hospital
The order meant that the Federal
with him. If something came up, I
Reserve bought dollars with other cur-
would check with him, of course."
At the hospital, Haig's impromptu
rencies, though not in massive
Haig's appearance astounded Baker
briefing was one of the bad moments
amounts.
and Meese, who were watching at the
for the watching White House aides.
The attention of the officials in the
hospital. And it flabbergasted Haig's
An even worse one came in the press
Situation Room then turned to the
colleagues in the Situation Room,
room when the television networks
none of whom had been consulted
incorrectly announced Brady's death.
television set, which showed Speakes
before he left on his self-appointed
Some aides were furious. Others wept
in the press room fending off ques-
mission.
silently as they continued to work.
tions. He hadn't been told much, and
"What's Al doing up there?" asked
Baker, however, knew better than
some of the questions concerned pos-
Lewis.
the networks. He had just had a re-
sible emergency actions the nation
Weinberger, returning from his tele-
port that Brady was holding his own,
was taking in the crisis. He was asked
phone call to Jones, looked up and
and he called the Situation Room and
the key question of whether the U.S.
saw Haig on the screen and asked,
told them to disregard the report.
military had been placed on higher
"Why are they running that old tape
Hospital interns who heard the re-
readiness.
of Al Haig?"
ports asked the surgeon operating on
"Not that I'm aware' of," Speakes
It's not a tape, he was told. Haig's
Brady if he hadn't heard that his pa-
replied.
up there.
tient was dead.
His response drew criticism from
"He can't be, he was right here,"
At about 4:30 p.m. former president
both Weinberger and Haig, but the
said Weinberger, still disbelieving. As
Richard M. Nixon called the hospital,
secretary of state was especially agi-
he watched, Haig told reporters in the
asking for Nancy Reagan. She was
tated. He said that "the next time
briefing room that no change in mili-
unable to come to the telephone, but
someone opens their yap" they had
tary alert procedures was contem-
Baker did.
better make sure that what they are
plated.
"Please convey my concern that I
saying is true. Weinberger then left
Weinberger knew that this was un-
know is shared by all Americans,"
the room to make a telephone call.
true because he had just ordered the
Nixon said.
"We've got a problem, and it's
increased state of readiness, but had
At 5:20 p.m. the bullet was re-
now," Haig said, turning to Allen. "We
done SO without telling Haig.
moved from the president and the
had better go upstairs and get this
When Haig returned to the briefing
straightened out."
room, Weinberger was waiting. In a
medical reports were positive. Baker
Haig and Allen double-timed up-
dramatic moment of angry but con-
called the Situation Room and told
stairs to the press room, which the
trolled confrontation, Weinberger de-
them they didn't have to worry them-
secretary of state, who had undergone
manded that Haig explain why he
selves any more with the 25th
open-heart surgery, later thought
had said what he had in the briefing
Amendment.
might have accounted for-his subse-
room. The two men kept their voices
Meese called the vice president,
quent shaky appearance on television.
down, but their differences were clear
whose plane was still an hour out of
He reached the briefing podium at
and sharp. Despite Haig's announce-
Washington.
4:14 p.m.
ment, Weinberger told him, he had
Cradling the phone in his cabin
In a voice cracking with emotion, he
increased the readiness of American
after he received the news, Bush
told the nation and the world: "I just
military forces.
turned to his aides and said, "The
wanted to touch upon a few matters
"That's just what I said we weren't
bullet's been removed. The operation
associated with today's tragedy. First,
doing," Haig said.
was a success. The president is fine."
as you know, we are in close touch
"I didn't know you were going up
It was now agreed at the hospital
with the vice president, who is return-
there," Weinberger replied, adding
that the president's top aides should
ing to Washington
We have in-
that he didn't think it "was appropri-
split up. And it was also agreed that
formed our friends abroad of the situ-
ate" for Haig to be going before the
any further briefings on the presi-
ation, the president's condition, as we
television cameras in the manner he
dent's condition should be by the doc-
know it [is] stable, now undergoing
had done. For good measure, he also
tors, even though this meant keeping
surgery. And there are absolutely no
said that Haig had misstated the
the press waiting for another hour.
alert measures at this time that we're
order of presidential succession,
Deaver and Nofziger, whose experi-
contemplating."
prompting Haig to respond: "You
ence was an asset in White House
should read the Constitution."
press relations, remained at the hospi-
tal, where Nofziger related the first of
the Reagan jokes in surgery. Meese
6
went to the vice president's residence
"Hi, Nancy," said Mrs. Brady, in a
to brief Bush upon his arrival.
manner that was strikingly composed,
Meese met Bush at the residence,
"We are just praying for both of
and together they rode in an armored
them."
limousine back to the White House.
Nofziger remained at the hospital to
Meese had sent a helicopter for the
brief reporters on Brady. At 9:30 p.m.
vice president to Andrews Air Force
he gave the first relatively optimistic
Base, and a Bush aide had suggested
report on Brady's condition.
that the chopper fly directly to the
White House.
At 8:50 p.m. the president, with the
"No, I don't want to do that," Bush
anesthesia worn off, scribbled a notè
said. "Only the president flies onto the
to his doctors in the recovery room.
South Lawn."
"All in all, I'd rather be in Philadel-
It was 7 p.m. when Bush arrived in
phia," it said, in the words of a fa-
the Situation Room. In rapid-fire
mous movie line by W.C. Fields.
order Allen ticked off an agenda that
Everyone laughed. When the mes-
had been discussed previously: the
sage was relayed to the Situation
president's health, an update on the
Room, Smith said, "I know he's going
world intelligence situation, the status
to be all right."
of U.S. military forces, the status of
At 3 a.m. Tuesday, the tubes in
what the press and public had been
Reagan's mouth were removed. The
told, the status of information given
president's first words were about his
privately to members of Congress, the
assailant.
-
outlines of the statement which had
"Boy, what's his beef?" Reagan
been drafted for Bush, the question of
asked.
whether it was appropriate for Bush
to visit Reagan at the hospital, infor-
mation about Mrs. Reagan and the
family, the cancellation of Bush's
planned trip to Geneva and an update
on the next day's schedule, which
Bush would fulfill.
At 7:30 p.m., with Brady still
fighting for his life, Dr. Dennis
O'Leary, clinical dean of George
Washington, briefed the press.
At 8:45 p.m., Meese, Baker and
Weinberger met in Baker's office for a
drink and a discussion of the next
day.
At about this time, Nancy Reagan
left the hospital with their son, Ron,
and his wife, Doria. In a corridor, she
encountered the parents of the
wounded Secret Service agent, and
said gratefully that their son had
saved her husband's life. McCarthy's
father sobbed. Then, on the ground
floor, she met Brady's mother, Doro-
thy.
THE WASHINGTON POST
Sunday, April 5, 1981
The Day of the Jackal in Washington
At the Hospital
"Situation negative," the advance
agent replied.
At the shooting scene, agents had
By Lou Cannon
The quiet ended in the rapid fire of
overwhelmed a young blond man later
Washington Post Staff Writer
a handgun and screams from the
identified as John Warnock Hinckley
It began as an ordinary spring day in
crowd. Within nine seconds six shots
Jr. They piled him into a police car
Washington: light showers, the usual lines of
had been fired in rapid succession at
and took him away.
tourists at the White House, a routine speech
the presidential party.
Before the limousine reached the
by the president.
One shot hit Secret Service agent
hospital, nurses had cleared space in
Then, gunfire. For six hours the nation
Timothy J. McCarthy, who thrust
the resuscitation bay for the shooting
watched and wondered. Would the president
himself between President Reagan
victims. A first radio message has told
live? Would he survive and be disabled?
and the gunman, in the stomach.
them there has been a shooting and
Would the nation be plunged into constitu-
One shot hit District police officer
that "some men" have been hurt. A
tional crisis?
Thomas K. Delahanty in the neck.
second message informed them that
It was 2:24 p.m. Monday, March 31. Mi-
One shot, although no one knew it
one was the president of the United
chael K. Deaver wasn't supposed to be at the
immediately, bounced off the armored
States.
Washington Hilton. He was supposed to be
limousine and hit Reagan in the chest,
At 2:35 p.m. the limousine arrived
back in the White House working on the
penetrating his left lung. Yet another
at George Washington. Reagan was
president's schedule. But it was a busy day
hit a window in a building across the
feeling pain in his chest and was hav-
at the office for chief of staff James A. Baker
street and fragmented.
ing difficulty breathing. As he got out
III, and Deaver, his deputy, had volunteered
And one shot, the shot that did the
of the car, D.C. paramedic Roberto
most damage, struck White House
Hernandez recognized the limousine.
to go in his place with President Reagan
when he addressed the Building Trades
press secretary Brady over the left
On inaugural day he had been as-
eye, penetrating his brain. Brady fell,
signed to the ambulance that followed
Council.
No one noticed the gunman before the
with blood gushing from his head. An
the new president around Washing-
advance man, Rick Ahearn, put a
ton.
firing began. No one particularly saw him, or
white handkerchief under Brady's
"I literally froze," Hernandez said
knew he was there. On the sidewalk outside
head. It quickly turned red with
afterward. "I didn't believe what I was
the lower entrance to the Washington Hilton,
blood.
actually seeing. I noticed he looked
a Secret Service agent gave the routine radio,
very pale and he had an apprehensive
In a matter of seconds Parr had
look about him
The stare in his
signal that all was clear.
shoved Reagan into the limousine and
eyes was like he was in a slight daze."
It was 2:25 p.m. Deaver will never forget
pulled the door shut. He commanded
Reagan got out of the car. He
what happened next.
the driver, Drew Unrue, to pull away,
walked to the emergency room, his
"The president and I were walking out
and the presidential limousine sped
face drawn, Parr's arm around him.
together," he recalls. "The press started ask-
from the scene. A staff control car,
Incredibly, no one had thought to
ing their usual questions. I turned and
with Deaver inside, followed.
order a stretcher to be ready for him.
moved [James S.] Brady up because he was
When the president entered the emer-
"You son-of-a-bitch, you broke my
gency room, he fell to one knee.
the press secretary. I took three steps, then
rib," Reagan said to Parr inside the
"I can't breathe," he said.
the first shot went over my right shoulder. I
limousine. He was joking, but he was
For a moment the workers in the
knew what it was. I ducked down, with the
hurting from the blow.
resuscitation bay were stunned. "Is
help of a shove from a Washington police-
Later in the week the president
that who I think it is?" a nurse asked.
man, who also was dropping to the ground. I
would tell Deaver that he hadn't real-
Then they sprang into action. Her-
smelled the powder. I never saw the gun-
ized he had been hit by a bullet but
nandez removed Reagan's shoes, socks
man."
that he certainly knew he had been
and pants while his partner Eric Sim-
Secret Service agent Jerry Parr, head of
hit.
mons cut off his shirt.
"It was a blow like I never felt,"
the presidential detail, never saw the gun-
"All I could think of was Parkland,"
Reagan said. "It was like someone
man, either. The gunman was shielded by
Deaver said, referring to the Dallas
hitting me with a hammer as hard as
hospital where John F. Kennedy was
the crowd.
they could."
taken.
Secret Service agents had looked over this
Parr, not knowing that the presi-
crowd, as they always do. It is not easy to
dent had been shot, originally ordered
But Deaver, a short, quiet, patient
spot a concealed gunman in a friendly crowd.
the limousine to return to the White
man who knows Reagan better than
House. But when he saw Reagan
anyone on the White House staff and
Thirty seconds before the president arrived
at the hotel, Parr had received a favorable
coughing blood, the bright-red oxygen-
was treated like a son by him, was
situation report.
ated blood that comes from the lung,
busy with other matters. Cool and
"Rawhide follow to Rawhide advance," he
he and the president thought a rib
collected, Deaver found a telephone
had been broken by the protective
bay outside the emergency ward and
said, using the code word for the president.
shove. Parr told Unrue to drive to
called the White House. He reached
"Situation report?"
George Washington University Hospi-
Margaret Tutwiler, the secretary to
tal instead of the White House. He
chief of staff Baker.
-radioed the control car and told
"Keep this line open, Margaret," he
Deaver where he was going.
said. "There's been a shooting, and
the president's hurt. We don't think
he was hit, but he may have broken a
rib."
-2-
Gergen went to find White House
At the White House
counselor Edwin Meese III, the presi-
Outside the resuscitation bay,
At the White House they already
dent's top aide, who was with his dep-
Deaver and aide David Fisher kept
knew about the shooting. But they
uty, Craig Fuller. They already knew.
the telephone lines open to the White
did not know much about what had
Baker ran down to the Secret Service
House. Deaver had Nancy Reagan
happened or that the president had
command post in the basement to
called immediately. He also asked
been shot.
find out what had happened. It was
Tutwiler to tell his secretary to call.
about 2:35 p.m., the time of Reagan's
his wife, Carolyn, and tell her that he
Baker had been working in his of-
arrival at the hospital.
was unharmed, but Deaver's secretary,
fice through the morning. At 1 p.m.
Shirley Moore, had already done so.
he went to the White House mess to
At the Hotel
Meanwhile, Brady and McCarthy
eat his usual lunch: a tunafish salad
had arrived at the hospital, and Dela-
Back at the Hilton, the ambulances
sandwich and buttermilk. Brady and
hanty had been taken to Washington
had borne away the wounded men,
his deputy, Larry Speakes, were fin-
Hospital Center. Brady looked bad
leaving behind the remnants of the
ishing their lunch as Baker and Tut-
and his blood pressure was dangerous-
shooting: an umbrella, a dropped
wiler arrived. They exchanged pleas-
ly high. To the paramedics, McCarthy
briefcase, the bloody sidewalk grate
looked best of all.
antries, and Brady said he was going
where Brady fell.
"Are you still with us?" a fellow
to the Hilton for Reagan's speech.
Prosperi, knowing that the presi-
agent asked him. "Oh, yes," McCarthy
The first word at the White House
dential limousine had started out for
quickly replied.
that something had gone wrong came
the White House, mistakenly believed
At 2:36 p.m. Mrs. Reagan arrived
in a telephone call from David Pros-
the president had arrived there, and
at the hospital. She wanted to see her
peri, an assistant press secretary. He
so informed the press. One eyewitness,
husband immediately, but was told by
was at the scene where the shots were
Ramon Flores, attempted to convince
Deaver that she could not. When she
fired, and he saw Brady go down.
Prosperi rushed into the hotel and
skeptical reporters that Reagan had
did get to see him, he greeted her
grabbed the first telephone he found.
been hit. He shrugged his shoulders
with a line that may become a classic:
It was a charge phone, so he gave the
when they did not believe him.
"Honey, I forgot to duck."
operator the White House press office
At the Hospital
number and billed the call to his
At the White House
home telephone.
Within minutes at George Washing-
At the White House, events moved
"Get me Larry. It's an emergency,"
ton the resucitation area was crowded
swiftly. Tutwiler had left the first
he said into the telephone.
with members of the trauma team
White House line open for Deaver,
Speakes was just coming out of a
and Secret Service agents. As Dr.
then she rounded up Baker, Meese,
meeting with other White House aides
Dennis O'Leary related later, a nurse
Gergen, Speakes and communications
in the Roosevelt Room on the auto-
trying to take Reagan's blood pressure
director Frank Ursomarso, who were
mobile regulation package that is to
could not hear through the stetho-
in a hall beyond the Oval Office. She
be announced this week. Betsy
scope because of the din and had to
told them Deaver was on the tele-
Strong, a press aide, ran up and told
take it by feeling the pulse in
phone.
him Prosperi was calling. He picked
Reagan's arm. It was only about 75
Baker went into his office and took
up the phone of Kathy Ahern,
low enough to signal that the presi-
one phone. Meese picked up the other
Brady's secretary.
dent was in danger of shock.
phone on the same line. Baker was at
"The president has been shot at
and Brady has been hit," Prosperi
Quickly, trauma team members in-
his desk. Deaver told them that the
serted an intravenous tube and began
president had been shot.
said.
running fluid into the president's
"Shit," said Meese.
"Thanks," Speakes replied, and
veins. They took blood samples to
"Oh, Jesus," said Baker.
hung up. From the look on his face
measure the blood oxygen content and
Both men moved swiftly to do what
the others in the room knew it was a
to match Reagan's blood for a trans-
was necessary. They agreed that the
crisis.
fusion. Meanwhile, they called for O-
vice president had to be called, and
"I don't know what it looked like,
but it hit pretty hard," Speakes said.
negative blood, the type that can be
that the Cabinet should assemble in
Ahern began to weep.
given to anyone. Reagan's blood type
the White House Situation Room.
is O-positive.
Secretary of State Alexander M.
White House staff director David
R. Gergen was coming out of the
Dr. Joseph M. Giardano, the sur-
Haig Jr. had called, and Baker called
geon who heads the trauma team, was
him back.
same meeting Speakes had attended.
The first instinct of both was to walk
among the first to respond to the
"It's very important how we handle
page, and he saw Reagan within five
this world-wide," Haig told Baker,
out on the colonade and watch the
motorcade return, which they ex-
minutes of his arrival. By then, the
who agreed.
pected momentarily. Instead, Speakes
president's blood pressure had risen to
Treasury Secretary Donald T.
telephoned Jack Warner of the Secret
100, but he was coughing up blood,
Regan was the first Cabinet officer to
his' breathing was fast and labored,
reach Baker's office. Treasury is the
Service. Warner knew something had
and the surgeons had discovered the
boss of the Secret Service, and Regan
happened, but did not have the de-
slit-like wound under his left arm.
had been told of the incident within
tails.
Gergen ran down the corridor to
Giardano said that the likelihood of
two minutes of its occurrence. Regan
Baker's office with the news. He burst
a collapsed lung and the danger that,
was on a long distance call from Los
into the office, almost knocking down
Reagan might be bleeding from his
Angeles when the call came, and he
Tutwiler, who had her back against
heart or a major blood vessel made it
hung up and went immediately by car
the door.
necessary to insert a chest tube at
across the street to the White House.
once.
-3-
At the hospital, Deaver put 'White
Meanwhile, Dr. Neofytos T. Tsan-
Aaron said he could feel splintering
House physician Daniel Ruge on the
garis, the hospital's acting chief of
of the seventh rib where the bullet
open line, and Baker took notes on
staff, had been summoned from a
had nicked it and ricocheted into the
what Ruge told him: "He [the presi-
meeting by a brief announcement:
chest. Outside the left lung, he found
dent] has received a chest wound in
"The president of the United States is
a large blood clot, and, after he re-
the left chest. He is in stable condi-
in the emergency room." Tsangaris
moved it, he could see where the bul-
tion. The blood pressure and pulse is
said he quickly realized that three
let had entered the lung. Quickly, he
okay. He is alert and fighting. Next
separate operating rooms, one for each
examined the heart and the major
stop could be the operating room. You
shooting victim, must be readied at
vessels nearby, They were untouched.
ought to get right over here."
once with nurses, technicians and
All the bleeding was coming from the
Haig arrived. Later, at the State
equipment.
smaller vessels within the torn lung.
Department, a spokesman announced
It was now 3:20 p.m. and Reagan
"We began to feel around for the
that Baker and Meese had left the
was being prepared for surgery. He
bullet
and to our chagrin we could
White House by the time Haig got
had an oxygen mask over his face
not find that bullet within the lung,"
there. It was an incorrect announce-
when Baker saw him, but winked at
he said later. Aaron ordered an X-ray
ment. Regan, Baker and Tutwiler all
his chief of staff.
taken on the operating table. The bul-
remember that Haig arrived just be-
At 3:30 p.m., approximately 45
let was visible, embedded in a portion
fore Baker and Meese left the office.
minutes after he was been brought to
of the left lung just behind the heart
They talked briefly, and Meese and
the hospital, he was wheeled to the
and "flattened almost as thin as a
Baker agreed that Haig would be the
operating room. His bleeding had
dime,' he said.
"contact point" at the White House
slowed somewhat, and he had received
At last Aaron felt the bullet and
while they were at the hospital. No
a transfusion of five units of blood.
pulled it out. Then he removed some
one said anything about anyone being
"Please tell me you're Republicans,"
of the dead lung tissue, inserted a
"in control." But there was a brief
he joked to the masked surgical team
drain into the bullet's track, and
discussion of the 25th Amendment,
surrounding him.
closed the incisions. The president
providing for presidential succession,
After that, according to operating
had been in the operating room for
because no one knew how badly
room technician Michael Borowski,
3½ hours, and apparently was out of
Reagan was hurt. Bush would be back
who helped with instruments during
danger. With a breathing tube in his
by the time they knew, everyone
the operation, the president was quiet.
throat, and still on a respirator, the
president was taken to the recovery
agreed.
"I saw Reagan looking around at ev-
room.
Meese told Tutwiler to get them a
erybody busy doing their thing
There had been anxious moments
car. "I'll handle it," Regan said. He
he recalled later. "I just kind of took
his hand. He had sort of tears in his
for Nancy Reagan during this opera-
directed an agent to get them a siren-
tion, moments she spent in a small
equipped Secret Service car so they
eyes
He really had this look of
appreciation on his face. That's what
private office the hospital made avail-
could speed through traffic to the hos-
able to her and in the chapel, where
pital. Speakes and Lyn Nofziger were
really touched me."
she met Sarah Brady, whose husband
with Meese and Baker.
The first part of the operation re-
had been erroneously declared dead in
Nofziger is a longtime Reagan aide
quired a tiny incision below the navel.
Into the incision Giordano inserted
mid-afternoon reports on all three
who proved -composed man in the
television networks.
day's crisis. He offered to help be-
about a quart of salt solution to deter-
For 53 minutes after the shooting
cause "Brady is out of commission,"
mine whether any bullets had pene-
not much was known at the White
and everyone was happy to have him.
trated the abdominal cavity and
House press office. It wasn't until 3:18
He and Speakes are old adversaries,
caused bleeding there. When sucked
p.m. that communications director
but they buried their differences on
out again, the fluid was clear, indicat-
Ursomarso stood on veteran press aide
that bloody day.
ing no abdominal injuries.
Connie. Gerrard's chair in the upper
Haig, Regan, Gergen and intergov-
A report was given to Baker and
press office to tell a packed crowed of
ernmental relations aide Rich Wil-
Deaver outside the operating room.
reporters that Reagan had been shot.
liamson went down to the Situation
Nancy Reagan was told the good
Every television set was turned on
Room in the White House basement.
news, and tears came to her eyes.
as staff and reporters watched replay
At the hospital Deaver alternated
Borowski said Reagan was then
after replay. The room was full of
his time between Nancy Reagan and
turned on his right side and redraped
people who work with Brady every
the telephones. The grim mood was
for the more major operation, the to-
day, and the replays, particularly
lightened on one occasion when a hos-
racotomy. Assisted by Dr. Kathleen
those in, slow motion, made all who
pital clerk with a green form in his
Cheyney, Dr. Benjamin L. Aaron cut
were present think that his chances
hand ran around trying to get some
a six-inch incision through the skin
for survival were slight.
information on the patient. "Who is
parallel with the ribs, extending hori-
Some aides wept for their fallen
he?" the clerk wanted to know.
zontally from below the left arm to-
press secretary. It was pouring rain
"R-e-a-g-a-n," Deaver spelled out.
ward the center of the chest. Then he
outside now, and correspondents who
"You are kidding," the clerk said.
used retractors to spread the ribs
usually would have broadcast from
"I'm not kidding," said Deaver.
apart.
the White House lawn stood on chairs
in the briefing room to get above the
heads of their milling colleagues and
talked to fill air time.
-4-
At 3:37 p.m. Gergen appeared in
phone line to Air Force Two, and
Some knew they were talking for
the crowded briefing room.
Haig was guarded in his communica-
posterity, but others didn't even no-
"Good afternoon," he said. "This is
to confirm the statements made at
tion. He also had a very poor connec-
tice the recorders. What the men in
tion.
the Situation Room wanted to know
George Washington hospital that the
"I think you should come directly
were three things: how badly was the
president was shot once in the left
back to Washington," Haig said.
president hit? Was the shooting a
side this afternoon as he left the hotel.
"There's been an incident." He also
conspiracy or an individual act?
His condition is stable.
told Bush that he would be sending
Would Brady survive?
"A decision is now being made
him a message over the coded Telex
While first reports from the hospi-
whether or not to operate to remove
machine that is the only secure chan-
tal seemed to be positive, everyone in
the bullet. The White House and the
nel of communications between Air
the Situation Room was aware that
vice president are in communication.
Force Two and the ground.
the president was 70 years old and
And the vice president is now en
Bush hung up and turned to his
faced major surgery. They were trying
route to Washington."
aides. "We are going directly back to
to prepare for every contingency.
On Air Force Two
Washington," he said. "I just spoke to
Smith and Fielding briefed the
Haig." It was a quarter of an hour
Cabinet members on constitutional
Going to Washington had not been
later before he learned what had hap-
succession and on the 25th Amend-
George Bush's plan. On a day of rou-
pened.
ment, which spells out the procedures
tine politicking, he had slipped into
"Mr. Vice President, in the incident
for the vice president's assuming office
his blue, Eisenhower-style official
you will have heard about by now, the
in case of presidential disability. The
flight jacket, buckled his seatbelt and
president. was struck in the back," the
review was brief, because the Cabinet
settled back for a moment of relax-
Telex from Haig said. "Medical au-
members spent much of the time on
ation as his plane took off from Fort
thorities are deciding now whether or
the telephone and, like millions of
Worth at 2:41 p.m. EST for a short
not to operate. Recommend you re-
other Americans, before the television
hop to Austin.
turn to D.C. at earliest possible mo-
set.
Behind him was a speech to cattle-
ment."
Of those in the Situation Room,
men and the dedication of the former
Quickly, the word was passed
Smith knew Reagan best. He is
Hotel Texas as a national monument
through the plane. House Majority
Reagan's long-time attorney, a charter
- it was the hotel where John F.
Leader Jim Wright (D-Tex.) walked
member of the "kitchen cabinet" and
Kennedy had spent his last night be-
into the front cabin, and Bush turned
a close friend. He also has jurisdiction
fore that fatal trip to Dallas. Ahead,
to him and said, "Why in the world
over the FBI, and was on the tele-
in Austin, awaited an address to the
would anybody shoot a man like Ron-
phone immediately, checking on
Texas Legislature and a news confer-
ald Reagan?"
Hinckley.
ence.
Air Force Two did not have enough
The readout from the FBI showed
Air Force Two was still climbing, a
fuel on board to make it to Washing-
that the suspect carried psychiatrists'
couple of minutes later, when Edward
ton nonstop, so the plane landed in
cards in his pocket, which convinced
Pollard, head of the vice president's
Austin as scheduled, but only for refu-
them that he probably was acting on
Secret Service detail, took an urgent
eling. Bush stayed on board, sipping
his own.
message from the Fort Worth office.
on a diet cola and saying very little.
Smith was outwardly calm, but his
He was told of the assassination at-
thoughts, like Deaver's, went back to
tempt, and was told that the presi-
At the White House
the day John F. Kennedy was shot
dent had not been hit. And he also
At the White House, Cabinet mem-
and the pall it cast over the nation.
was informed, incorrectly, that two
bers and other high White House offi-
He was relieved to hear that Reagan
Secret Service agents were down. Pol-
cials assembled in the Situation
was trying out one-liners on the doc-
lard immediately relayed this message
Room: Attorney General William
tors, knowing, as he would say later,
to Bush.
French Smith, Defense Secretary
"that this was a sign of normalcy."
Bush nodded quietly and began
Caspar W. Weinberger, Transporta-
Weinberger had been told by his
talking of the possibility of shortening
tion Secretary Drew Lewis, National
secretary that he was wanted at the
his Austin stopover. The telephone
Security Council staff director Richard
Situation Room. At first, he couldn't
line flashed again. This time it was
V. Allen, domestic adviser Martin An-
find a car, and thought of taking a
Bush's press secretary, Peter Teeley,
derson, CIA Director William J.
taxi, but CIA Deputy Director Bobby
with a message identical to the one
Casey, counsel Fred Fielding. Hours
Inman was visiting him, and he of-
Pollard had given.
later, Commerce Secretary Malcolm;
fered to take the defense secretary to
The vice president's chief legislation
Baldrige would arrive.
the White House.
aide, Robert V. Thompson, rushed
There were so many people rushing
When Weinberger arrived, Haig was
back to the VIP section in mid-plane
back and forth that Allen tried to
making telephone calls on the only
and announced to the assembled
close the door to the Situation Room
secure phone in the Situation Room,
Bush aides and three Texas congress-
to keep some of the staff members
Weinberger stepped outside to call
men that an attempt had been made
out. Allen put a tape recorder on the
Gen. David Jones, chairman of the
on the president's life.
table in the center of the room along
Joint Chiefs of Staff. They discussed
Up front, at 3:04 p.m., Haig tele-
with another that was already there.
the combat-readiness of American
phoned Bush. There is no secure tele-
forces, and Weinberger, after receiving
unspecified classified information on a
little white slip of paper, directed
Jones to order "a little higher state of
readiness," but one that was short ofa
full alert.
-5-
Other Cabinet members were mak-
Haig was then asked who was mak-
ing similar determinations in their
Afterward, both Haig and Weinber-
ing decisions for the government at
ger would try to minimize the ex-
areas of responsibility.
the time, and responded, "Constitu-
Regan told Treasury Undersecre-
change, which lasted only a few
tionally, gentlemen, you have the
minutes. Haig responded to criticisms
tary for Monetary Affairs Beryl
president, the vice president and the
Sprinkel to tell the Federal Reserve
of his appearance by saying that he
secretary of state, in that order, and
that the dollar should be supported
was winded from running up the
should the president decide he wants
stairs.
on foreign exchange markets. After-
to transfer the helm to the vice presi-
ward, Regan described his action as "a
"I may have been quivery, but I've
dent, he will do so. He has not done
been through 50 times worse than
normal procedure that has been done
that. As of now, I am in control here,
that," he said.
before" when some crisis threatens the
in the White House, pending return of
dollar's value.
the vice president and in close touch
At the Hospital
The order meant that the Federal
with him. If something came up, I
Reserve bought dollars with other cur-
would check with him, of course."
At the hospital, Haig's impromptu
rencies, though not in massive
Haig's appearance astounded Baker
briefing was one of the bad moments
amounts.
and Meese, who were watching at the
for the watching White House aides.
The attention of the officials in the
hospital. And it flabbergasted Haig's
An even worse one came in the press
Situation Room then turned to the
colleagues in the Situation Room,
room when the television networks
none of whom had been consulted
incorrectly announced Brady's death.
television set, which showed Speakes
before he left on his self-appointed
Some aides were furious. Others wept
in the press room fending off ques-
mission.
silently as they continued to work.
tions. He hadn't been told much, and
"What's Al doing up there?" asked
Baker, however, knew better than
some of the questions concerned pos-
Lewis.
the networks. He had just had a re-
sible emergency actions the nation
Weinberger, returning from his tele-
port that Brady was holding his own,
was taking in the crisis. He was asked
phone call to Jones, looked up and
and he called the Situation Room and
the key question of whether the U.S.
saw Haig on the screen and asked,
told them to disregard the report.
military had been placed on higher
"Why are they running that old tape
Hospital interns who heard the re-
readiness.
of Al Haig?"
ports asked the surgeon operating on
"Not that I'm aware of," Speakes
It's not a tape, he was told. Haig's
Brady if he hadn't heard that his pa-
replied.
up there.
tient was dead.
His response drew criticism from
"He can't be, he was right here,"
At about 4:30 p.m. former president
both Weinberger and Haig, but the
said Weinberger, still disbelieving. As
Richard M. Nixon called the hospital,
secretary of state was especially agi-
he watched, Haig told reporters in the
asking for Nancy Reagan. She was
tated. He said that "the next time
briefing room that no change in mili-
unable to come to the telephone, but
someone opens their yap" they had
tary alert procedures was contem-
Baker did.
better make sure that what they are
plated.
"Please convey my concern that I
saying is true. Weinberger then left
Weinberger knew that this was un-
know is shared by all Americans,"
the room to make a telephone call.
true because he had just ordered the
Nixon said.
"We've got a problem, and it's
increased state of readiness, but had
At 5:20 p.m. the bullet was re-
Haig said, turning to Allen. "We
done so without telling Haig.
moved from the president and the
had better go upstairs and get this
When Haig returned to the briefing
straightened out."
room, Weinberger was waiting. In a
medical reports were positive. Baker
Haig and Allen double-timed up-
dramatic moment of angry but con-
called the Situation Room and told
stairs to the press room, which the
trolled confrontation, Weinberger de-
them they didn't have to worry them-
secretary of state, who had undergone
manded that Haig explain why he
selves any more with the 25th
open-heart surgery, later thought
had said what he had in the briefing
Amendment.
might have accounted for-his subse-
room. The two men kept their voices
Meese called the vice president,
quent shaky appearance on television.
down, but their differences were clear
whose plane was still an hour out of
He reached the briefing podium at
and sharp. Despite Haig's announce-
Washington.
4:14 p.m.
ment, Weinberger told him, he had
Cradling the phone in his cabin
In a voice cracking with emotion, he
increased the readiness of American
after he received the news, Bush
told the nation and the world: "I just
military forces.
turned to his aides and said, "The-
wanted to touch upon a few matters
"That's just what I said we weren't
bullet's been removed. The operation
associated with today's tragedy. First,
doing," Haig said.
was a success. The president is fine."
as you know, we are in close touch
"I didn't know you were going up
It was now agreed at the hospital
with the vice president, who is return-
there," Weinberger replied, adding
that the president's top aides should
ing to Washington
We have in-
that he didn't think it "was appropri-
split up. And it was also agreed that
formed our friends abroad of the situ-
ate" for Haig to be going before the
any further briefings on the presi-
ation, the president's condition, as we
television cameras in the manner he
dent's condition should be by the doc-
know it [is] stable, now undergoing
had done. For good measure, he also
tors, even though this meant keeping
surgery. And there are absolutely no
said that Haig had misstated the
the press waiting for another hour.
alert measures at this time that we're
order of presidential succession,
Deaver and Nofziger, whose experi-
contemplating."
prompting Haig to respond: "You
ence was an asset in White House
should read the Constitution."
press relâtions, remained at the hospi-
tal, where Nofziger related the first of
the Reagan jokes in surgery. Meese
went to the vice president's residence
to brief Bush upon his arrival.
"Hi, Nancy," said Mrs. Brady, in a
Meese met Bush at the residence,
manner that was strikingly composed,
and together they rode in an armored
"We are just praying for both of
them."
limousine back to the White House.
Meese had sent a helicopter for the
Nofziger remained at the hospital to
vice president to Andrews Air Force
brief reporters on Brady. At 9:30 p.m.
Base, and a Bush aide had suggested
he gave the first relatively optimistic
that the chopper fly directly to the
report on Brady's condition.
White House.
"No, I don't want to do that," Bush
At 8:50 p.m. the president, with the
anesthesia worn off, scribbled a note
said. "Only the president flies onto the
South Lawn."
to his doctors in the recovery room.
"All in all, I'd rather be in Philadel-
It was 7 p.m. when Bush arrived in
phia," it said, in the words of a fa-
the Situation Room. In rapid-fire
mous movie line by W.C. Fields.
order Allen ticked off an agenda that
Everyone laughed. When the mes-
had been discussed previously: the
sage was relayed to the Situation
president's health, an update on the
world intelligence situation, the status
Room, Smith said, "I know he's going
to be all right."
of U.S. military forces, the status of
At 3 a.m. Tuesday, the tubes in
what the press and public had been
Reagan's mouth were removed. The
told, the status of information given
president's first words were about his
privately to members of Congress, the
assailant.
outlines of the statement which had
been drafted for Bush, the question of
"Boy, what's his beef?" Reagan
asked.
whether it was appropriate for Bush
to visit Reagan at the hospital, infor-
mation about Mrs. Reagan and the
family, the cancellation of Bush's
planned trip to Geneva and an update
on the next day's schedule, which
Bush would fulfill.
At 7:30 p.m., with Brady still
fighting for his life, Dr. Dennis
O'Leary, clinical dean of George
Washington, briefed the press.
At 8:45 p.m., Meese, Baker and
Weinberger met in Baker's office for a
drink and a discussion of the next
day.
At about this time, Nancy Reagan
left the hospital with their son, Ron,
and his wife, Doria. In a corridor, she
encountered the parents of the
wounded Secret Service agent, and
said gratefully that their son had
saved her husband's life. McCarthy's
father sobbed. Then, on the ground
floor, she met Brady's mother, Doro-
thy.