“I am in control here.”
—Alexander Haig, President Ronald Reagan’s Secretary of State, immediately after Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981, because Vice President George H. W. Bush was not in Washington that day. (WRONG: The U.S. Constitution designates both the Speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the Senate ahead of the secretary of state in the line of succession when both the president and vice president are unavailable or incapacitated.)
“I’m actually, I guess, the chief law enforcement officer of the country.”
—Donald Trump, Feb. 18, 2020. (WRONG AGAIN: That would be news to William Barr; the Constitution designates the attorney general as the chief law enforcement officer in the U.S.)
Louisiana Voice 
Haig was challenged. Trump has not been. Who is looking out for us in Congress?
I think Trump’s “stable genius” is that he spouts so many lies and dictatorish rants that Democrats in Congress are left wondering where to start. By the time they go through official procedures, etc. Trump has let fire with another entirely different set of declarations as to his omnipotent powers. Going thru official procedures, etc. seems to be working against us, according to these Congressional Republicans. Woe is us!
As far as Haig comments in the moment then as well as now, I read his comment meaning that the White House was functioning normally. That the Russians or others should not expect an opportunity. In no way did I expect the Sect of State to try to override the constitution. The Vice President was not under attack, in hiding or sick. He was just not immediately present in the White House and would be in charge as simply as his being on the Phone much less upon his arrival. There was no need to invoke the Speaker of the House, etc as the VP was fully capable. However the flash thought of a “nuclear first strike” potential (real concern of the era) in the minds of Russia as well as our people was quelled by his statement effectively saying the White House was fully operational. Not a Constitutional grab.
This appears to be is fully opposite the mindset of current President Donald Trumpt that appears to know and wish to know little of or follow the intentions of the Constitution.
PS there have been reasonable reports that during the last days of President Nixon’s embattled term, (associated with possible heavy drinking) Kissinger and others were ready to disobey orders that might be given to lash out or creat a diversion to the impeachment process. A some what similar constutional issue related to speed of implemention of constitutional transfer provisions. However once again not against the intention of the constitution as transposed when taking Presiidents Trumpts continuion remarks.