<P> Although Haig stated in the briefing room that "There are absolutely no alert measures that are necessary at this time or contemplated", while he spoke Weinberger raised the military's alert level . After Haig returned to the Situation Room, he objected to Weinberger doing so as it made him appear a liar . Weinberger and others accused Haig of exceeding his authority with his "I am in control" statement, while Haig defended himself by advising the others to "read the Constitution", saying that his comments did not involve "succession" and that he knew the "pecking order". </P> <P> "Despite brief flare - ups and distractions," Allen recalled, "the crisis management team in the Situation Room worked well together . The congressional leadership was kept informed, and governments around the world were notified and reassured ." Reagan's surgery ended at 6: 20 p.m., although he did not regain consciousness until 7: 30 p.m., so could not invoke Section 3 of the 25th Amendment to make Bush acting president . The vice president arrived at the White House at 7: 00 p.m., and did not invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment . He stated on national television at 8: 20 p.m.: </P> <P> I can reassure this nation and a watching world that the American government is functioning fully and effectively . We've had full and complete communications throughout the day . </P> <P> The assassination attempt was captured on video by several cameras, including those belonging to the Big Three television networks; ABC began airing footage at 2: 42 p.m. All three networks erroneously reported that Brady had died . When ABC News anchorman Frank Reynolds, a friend of Brady, was later forced to retract the report, he angrily said on - air to his staff, "C'mon, let's get it nailed down!", as a result of the miscommunication . While the Cable News Network (CNN) did not have a camera of its own at the shooting it was able to use NBC's pool feed, and by staying on the story for 48 hours, the network, less than a year old, built a reputation for thoroughness . Shocked Americans gathered around television sets in homes and shopping centers . Some cited the alleged Curse of Tippecanoe, and others recalled the assassinations of Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr . Newspapers printed extra editions and used gigantic headlines; the United States Senate adjourned, interrupting debate of Reagan's economic proposals; and churches held prayer services . </P>

Who was the president that was shot during a speech