I am not aware of any instance where a Secretary of State was in command due to succession. There have been several people who once served as Secretary that were elected as President, but none have succeeded to the office besides the Vice-President. Haig stated he was in charge while the VP traveled, but that overlooked the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. I think Haig meant to say, “I’m answering the phones.”
Haig actually claimed that as SecSt. he was next in line behind the VP.Haig had problems with things presidential. in73 he transmitted the order to fire the Watergate special prosecutor to AG Eliot Richardson.He told the AG that the order came from the commander in chief. Richardson had to remin Haig that Nixon was not his CinC as he was not in the military, and then submitted his resignation.
Haig actually claimed that as SecSt. he was next in line behind the VP.Haig had problems with things presidential. in73 he transmitted the order to fire the Watergate special prosecutor to AG Eliot Richardson.He told the AG that the order came from the commander in chief. Richardson had to remin Haig that Nixon was not his CinC as he was not in the military, and then submitted his resignation.