Is there such a thing as the ‘Williamsburg Doctrine’, or was there ever?
In a fictional book I’ve read recently ( Removal by Peter Murphy) this was used as a plot device to create a constitutional crisis during an impeachment process. In outline, it is an unofficial ‘policy’ set in place from 1965 or so, that when there is the possibility of a sitting president being removed from office (or dying etc…) and the Joint Chiefs consider the current vice president to be unworthy of assuming office (by being too liberal - a known pacifist in the case of the book) then they, the Joint Chiefs, have the power or responsibility to act to ensure a suitable successor is found rather than leave the country vulnerable in the hands of someone who may not share their strength or values.
It was clearly unconstitutional and seen as such by most players in the book, but as lots of other constitutional issues and historical additions were well handled and detailed in the book, I was curious to know if there was any historical basis for this particular idea? ( a quick google turns up nothing for me).
Thanks.