Alexander Haig (PJW)

Alexander Haig was Acting President of the United States in 1981 and Chief of Staff of the Army from 1979 to 1982.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Haig rose through the ranks of both the military and politics, serving in the Korean War and Cuban War, as well as an aid to Secretary of Defense Ernst Gruening. Haig was given several commands during the wars of the Carlucci administration, initially serving in Vietnam until being transferred to oversee the rebuilding of Bolivia. While in Bolivia, Haig began building a coalition of supporters to oust President Frank Carlucci, growing increasingly disgusted with the administration's abuse of power and the development of an American police state. The administration didn't seem to note his discontent, and instead made him Chief of Staff of the Army for his good service.

Following the failure to remove Carlucci in the 1982 presidential election, Haig led a military coup against the president. Successfully taking the White House, Carlucci committed suicide to prevent capture. Haig announced that he would become America's acting president, and, perhaps shortsightedly, announced a new election for November 1981.

The Citizens' Party was the only major political force left in the United States, and their candidate Jim Jones would win the special election. Haig remained a major influence during the brief Jones administration, which was busy stabilizing America - through increasing heavy-handed tactics. Jones's mental health declined as the stress of the presidency got to him; he suffered a breakdown during the Sino-Soviet Exchange in 1982. Jones attempted to launch America's nuclear arsenal, resulting in Haig leading another military coup.

Soldiers loyal to Jones seized the nuclear artillery stored deep within Fort Myer during the Wayne administration and attempted to destroy Washington DC and prevent Haig's coup. Much of the city would be destroyed, and both Jones and Haig would be killed before the base was reclaimed. With the country and world in anarchy, the American military stepped in, and General Norman Schwarzkopf became the new Acting President.