Letter to Transfer Power After the Assassination Attempt on Reagan
3/31/1981
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This letter was prepared for President Ronald Reagan to use to transfer power after the assassination attempt against him; but it was never signed and the transfer never happened.
Sections 3 and 4 of the 25th Amendment address situations involving the incapacitation of the President. This was the first time these provisions were considered for use.
Immediately after Reagan was shot outside a Washington hotel, the extent of his injuries wasn’t clear. As Reagan prepared for emergency surgery, his aides debated invoking Section 3 of the amendment, which calls for the Vice President to be Acting President until the President is able to resume his duties.
Aides drafted the paperwork for the transfer of power but some of them argued against invoking it. Reagan recovered quickly from the surgery, and he indicated that he could function as President while he healed under the care of his doctors.
Sections 3 and 4 of the 25th Amendment address situations involving the incapacitation of the President. This was the first time these provisions were considered for use.
Immediately after Reagan was shot outside a Washington hotel, the extent of his injuries wasn’t clear. As Reagan prepared for emergency surgery, his aides debated invoking Section 3 of the amendment, which calls for the Vice President to be Acting President until the President is able to resume his duties.
Aides drafted the paperwork for the transfer of power but some of them argued against invoking it. Reagan recovered quickly from the surgery, and he indicated that he could function as President while he healed under the care of his doctors.
This primary source comes from the Collection RR-WHORM: White House Office of Records Management File Systems (White House Central Files).
Full Citation: Unsigned Letter Regarding the Transfer of Power per the 25th Amendment, to be Used in the Case of the President's Incapacitation as a Result of the Assassination Attempt; 3/31/1981; FG001 217731; White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) Subject File, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989; Collection RR-WHORM: White House Office of Records Management File Systems (White House Central Files); Ronald Reagan Library, Simi Valley, CA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/reagan-transfer-power, October 13, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
