Richard M. Nixon
Richard M. Nixon served as the 37th President of the United States from January 1969 until his resignation in August 1974. In February 1971, he ordered the installation of a secret voice-activated taping system in the White House to preserve a historical record of his administration. Until the system's existence was revealed and dismantled in July 1973, the tapes captured Nixon directing major foreign policy initiatives, such as the opening to China, as well as his central role in the Watergate cover-up.
What Nixon talks about on the tapes
White House operations 4,654Presidential scheduling 4,037Presidential communication 2,299Public relations 1,746Vietnam War 1,719Logistics 1,631Manolo Sanchez 1,592White House communications 1,427White House administration 1,358Henry Kissinger 1,313Foreign Policy 1,160Camp David 1,101
Conversations (21,010)
— Page 161 of 211On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 3:39 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 400-008 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss administrative or logistical arrangements. The brief interaction focused on operational coordination, with the President providing instructions for Sanchez to initiate a phone call. The conversation concluded with the President directing the logistics of the requested communication.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 3:39 pm and 4:05 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 400-010 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Charles Colson to evaluate the political fallout and public reaction following his 1973 Inauguration, focusing specifically on the effectiveness of his inaugural address and the bias of press coverage. The two discussed strategic approaches to handling the President's political opponents, including the use of lawsuits against critical media outlets like Time magazine. Additionally, they reviewed security concerns and legal responses regarding protestors who disrupted the inaugural parade.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Raymond K. Price, Jr. talked on the telephone from 4:05 pm to 4:06 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-042 of the White House Tapes.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:06 pm and 4:13 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-043 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon instructed Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to implement an immediate ban on all communication between White House staff and Time magazine. This directive was prompted by a negative story regarding Charles W. Colson and John N. Mitchell. Nixon ordered that any staff member, including National Security Council personnel, found violating this policy—specifically mentioning Jerold L. Schecter—must have their resignation submitted within one minute.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 4:14 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-045 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon directs Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to enforce a strict information blackout regarding a sensitive timing issue, specifically tasking Ziegler with instructing Alexander Haig to police the Pentagon's compliance. Nixon expresses frustration over perceived malicious leaks from the State Department and demands that Ziegler silence members of the Domestic Council, including staff under George Shultz. The conversation serves as a directive to centralize control over communications and neutralize internal dissent across key executive departments.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 4:51 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-047 of the White House Tapes.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 4:51 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 400-012 of the White House Tapes.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:51 pm and 5:00 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 400-013 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with key advisors and staff, including Raymond Price, H.R. Haldeman, and Alexander Haig, to finalize the messaging and strategy for his upcoming televised address regarding the Vietnam settlement. The discussion focused heavily on managing congressional relations, securing bipartisan support, and refining the speech’s tone to project strength while addressing potential sensitivities. Throughout the afternoon, the group also monitored news of former President Lyndon B. Johnson's declining health, which prompted deliberations on the impact of his condition on the President's schedule and the potential need for a public statement.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:55 pm and 6:19 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-052 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the implications of Lyndon B. Johnson’s death on the timing of the impending Vietnam settlement announcement. Nixon expresses concerns about announcing the agreement during a national mourning period and suggests that Henry Kissinger could utilize the news of Johnson’s passing as a strategic delay to accommodate South Vietnamese concerns. Furthermore, Nixon decides against delivering the announcement from the Capitol, opting instead for a more somber address from the White House, and instructs Haig to coordinate the speech draft with Raymond Price.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:22 pm and 7:14 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-054 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss logistical arrangements for the funeral of Lyndon B. Johnson, focusing on Nixon's refusal to attend any services held at the Washington National Cathedral due to personal animosity toward Dean Francis B. Sayre. Nixon instructs Haldeman to ensure the White House press staff is firm regarding his non-attendance and emphasizes his preference for services to be held at the Capitol. Additionally, the President orders the postponement of a planned television address and a dinner for Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato to avoid appearing insensitive during the national mourning period.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 7:26 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-056 of the White House Tapes.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:26 pm and 7:29 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-057 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discussed the difficulty of controlling the narrative regarding the Vietnam peace settlement due to extensive media coverage and public comments from South Vietnamese Foreign Minister Tran Van Lam. Ziegler explained that press plants with The Washington Post and CBS were complicated by the Foreign Minister’s optimistic but unauthorized interviews. The two concluded the call with arrangements for Ziegler to deliver a prepared statement regarding the death of former President Lyndon B. Johnson to the Lincoln Room.
President Nixon and Charles G. “Bebe” Rebozo discuss the death of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and the coordination of memorial service attendance. The conversation also touches upon a recent, successful event at the President’s Florida home, which Rebozo describes as having been received with great enthusiasm. Nixon requests that Rebozo make plans to attend the upcoming funeral ceremonies.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, engage in a brief interaction concerning the review of photographs and the management of audio recordings. The discussion centers on locating a specific individual in a photograph and confirming that certain tapes are designated for the President’s private files. No major policy decisions were made during this brief, personal administrative exchange.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 7:56 pm and 8:15 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 398-017 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the drafting of a formal statement regarding the death of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. They deliberate on the specific phrasing of the tribute, ultimately deciding to remove a sentence about achieving peace to avoid potential controversy or distraction during upcoming media coverage. Nixon directs Ziegler to finalize the statement, noting that its release should be timed strategically alongside public announcements.
President Nixon utilized this time in the Old Executive Office Building to dictate a memorandum for the files regarding his recent activities and administrative priorities. The recording captures the President documenting thoughts on the 1973 inauguration, the impending Vietnam peace settlement announcement, and personnel matters involving Alexander Haig and Charles Colson. Following this dictation, Manolo Sanchez entered the office to fulfill a request for refreshments.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 8:22 pm and 8:47 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 402-013 of the White House Tapes.
On January 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 8:22 pm and 8:47 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 402-014 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon dictates a memorandum for the files to record his thoughts following a previous discussion. The brief recording serves as a continuation of prior deliberations, documenting internal administrative or policy recollections. This dictated entry functions as an official record of the President's personal notes regarding ongoing White House matters.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss Colson’s potential lawsuit against the media regarding recent reporting. While Attorney General Richard Kleindienst advised against legal action, Nixon encourages Colson to pursue the case to force a public retraction. The conversation also touches upon the death of Lyndon B. Johnson and its impact on the public perception of the Vietnam War settlement.
President Nixon and Charles Colson held a brief, informal discussion regarding unspecified political activities or personnel matters. Due to the fragmentary and poor quality of the recording, no substantive policy decisions or clear action items are discernable. The brief interaction serves primarily to document the ongoing communication between the President and his advisor during this period.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig and Raymond Price to review and refine a draft statement or speech regarding the ongoing negotiations in Vietnam. The discussion focused on editing specific paragraphs and determining the appropriate tone for addressing the progress of the peace efforts and the role of the South Vietnamese government. Nixon provided direction on which sections to retain or omit to ensure the document effectively communicated the administration's position.
President Nixon utilized this session in his Old Executive Office Building suite to dictate a memorandum. The recording captures the President engaged in administrative work, though the specific subject matter of the dictated document remains unavailable due to the lack of a transcript. This brief meeting reflects the President's routine use of the taping system to record official correspondence and policy directives.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:26 am and 8:32 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 839-001 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:26 am and 8:32 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 839-002 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 8:30 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-062 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at 8:30 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 839-003 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate scheduling for upcoming meetings with Congressional leadership regarding the 1973 budget and legislative initiatives. The discussion focused on finalizing the timing for bipartisan briefings and clarifying the involvement of Roy L. Ash and William E. Timmons. Nixon emphasized the need for caution and political strategy in handling these sensitive materials to ensure the information remained secure.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, and Stephen B. Bull to review and reform the guest invitation process for White House social events. Expressing frustration with the repetition of the same attendees, the President directed that future guest lists prioritize new, diverse invitees and strictly limit repeat visits for staff and politicians. They also discussed logistical concerns regarding Inaugural event planning, religious services, and the management of contributor expectations.
President Nixon spoke with journalist William S. White to express condolences following the death of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The two discussed their shared frustration regarding the lack of loyalty Johnson received from members of his own political party during his later years. Nixon also reflected on a recent conversation he had with Johnson, expressing his belief that the former president felt encouraged by the progress of the Vietnam peace negotiations before his passing.
President Nixon met with William P. White to express his condolences following the death of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The conversation focused on the personal and political treatment of Johnson by members of his own party, with Nixon expressing deep frustration toward those he felt had disloyally abandoned their former mentor. Both men shared reflections on their personal histories with Johnson and lamented the lack of support he received from Democratic allies toward the end of his life.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:03 am and 9:10 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-064 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 9:03 am and 9:10 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Colonel Richard T. Kennedy discuss the status of Henry Kissinger’s schedule regarding the Vietnam peace negotiations in Paris. The President seeks confirmation on whether Kissinger intends to return to Washington as planned or delay his arrival due to the passing of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The pair confirms that Kissinger is expected back by 6:00 p.m., and Nixon affirms his commitment to proceed with the scheduled Day of Mourning for Johnson regardless of the diplomatic developments.
President Nixon instructed his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to locate H.R. Haldeman to discuss urgent matters before the President became occupied with other obligations. Nixon also directed that Alexander M. Haig, Jr. be brought in immediately to join the meeting. Bull was tasked with determining Haldeman's availability without disrupting his current staff meeting while ensuring Haig's prompt arrival.
President Nixon consulted with Col. Richard T. Kennedy to receive updates regarding uncertain negotiations or strategic plans that were subject to ongoing developments. The brief exchange focused on conflicting reports about a potential delay in these plans, with the President emphasizing the need for timely notification upon Kennedy's arrival. No definitive policy decisions were reached, as the primary objective was to clarify the status of the evolving situation.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 9:14 am to 9:15 am. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon directs Stephen B. Bull to monitor the progress of specific administrative or logistical tasks involving Soviet personnel. The President explicitly requests information regarding the anticipated completion time of these activities while emphasizing a desire to limit the scope of the Russians' involvement. This brief exchange serves to track the status of ongoing diplomatic or bureaucratic arrangements.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:47 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-068 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to facilitate an urgent call between Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman and former Secretary of the Treasury John B. Connally. The discussion focuses on determining Connally's current location in Jamaica and evaluating the security of communication lines, specifically whether the call can be placed via a secure channel or must go through a commercial operator. The President prioritizes establishing contact with Connally as quickly as possible.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:55 am and 12:08 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-070 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Alexander Haig, Ronald Ziegler, and others to strategize for the upcoming announcement of the Vietnam peace settlement and the state funeral for former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The discussion focused on coordinating the public relations strategy, balancing the tone of the announcement with a period of national mourning, and managing Congressional relations. Nixon emphasized his desire for a succinct, impactful speech regarding the peace agreement and expressed frustration with internal staff leaks and the potential for political fallout from his domestic opponents.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the logistics and venue for a televised address regarding the impending Vietnam peace settlement. The discussion focused on the political implications of delivering the speech before Congress, specifically weighing the advice and perspectives of Speaker Carl Albert and Representative Gerald Ford. The participants evaluated the potential for a Congressional boycott and the broader necessity of securing legislative prestige for the administration's foreign policy announcement.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 11:55 am and 12:08 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-008 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 12:08 pm to 12:09 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-071 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 12:08 pm and 12:09 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-009 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 12:15 pm to 1:35 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-010 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Alexander Haig coordinated the scheduling of a series of high-level meetings regarding the upcoming Vietnam peace settlement announcement. The group finalized plans for an 8:30 p.m. Cabinet meeting followed by a session with Congressional leadership. Additionally, the President initiated a request for a follow-up telephone call with William E. Timmons to address these administrative preparations.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:35 pm and 1:39 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-080 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including Alexander Haig, H. R. Haldeman, and Raymond Price, to finalize the wording and delivery strategy for his upcoming speech announcing the Vietnam peace settlement. The President emphasized his desire to highlight his personal role in the negotiations while coordinating support from bipartisan Congressional leaders to ensure the agreement's success. Additionally, the group discussed scheduling concerns related to the upcoming funeral ceremonies for Lyndon B. Johnson and the President's personal exhaustion, with Nixon expressing the need for a brief recuperative trip to California or Florida following the announcement.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:35 pm and 1:39 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-012 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:35 pm and 1:39 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-013 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone from 1:39 pm to 1:40 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-081 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:39 pm to 1:40 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-014 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 1:43 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-082 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 1:43 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-016 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinated media and public relations strategy regarding the upcoming announcement of the Vietnam peace settlement. Nixon instructed Ziegler to restrict media access to a photographic pool, explicitly barring reporters to avoid unauthorized questioning. The President also rejected a joint session of Congress as a backdrop for the address, opting instead for a simpler presentation to minimize the platform provided to political opponents.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:43 pm and 1:46 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-017 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the handling of visual documentation and photographic records regarding an unspecified project or event. The President explicitly instructs that only photographic material be emphasized, while expressing skepticism regarding the feasibility of funding for a particular initiative. They also briefly consider the strategic optics of involving bipartisan congressional leadership in public-facing appearances.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:46 pm and 1:53 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-019 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:46 pm and 1:53 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-020 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:46 pm and 1:53 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-021 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:46 pm and 1:53 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-022 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the logistics of his upcoming public address regarding the Vietnam settlement and the pursuit of "peace with honor." The conversation touched upon the strategic implications of the recent bombing campaigns and their role in facilitating negotiations. Beyond political discourse, the participants coordinated the President’s personal schedule, specifically managing his needs for refreshments and rest.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 1:53 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-084 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 1:53 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-024 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:53 pm and 1:59 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-025 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Charles Colson met to strategize the administration's public messaging following the impending Vietnam cease-fire agreement. Nixon emphasized the necessity of a vigorous, aggressive counteroffensive against political opponents and media critics to ensure his policy was perceived as a vindication of his Southeast Asia strategy. They discussed mobilizing labor leaders and veterans to bolster support, while simultaneously dismissing the importance of negative press coverage from outlets like the Washington Post and CBS.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:30 pm and 4:09 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-085 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:30 pm and 4:09 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 404-027 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:30 pm and 4:09 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-001 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:30 pm and 4:09 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon contacted Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to enforce a strict directive barring White House staff from communicating with Time magazine journalists Jerrold L. Schecter and Hugh S. Sidey. Nixon demanded that his orders to freeze all cooperation with the publication be fully understood and upheld for the remainder of his term. He confirmed that he would also coordinate with H. R. Haldeman to ensure the policy was consistently implemented across the administration.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 4:09 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-003 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler held a brief meeting to coordinate messaging and ensure mutual understanding regarding sensitive information. The conversation centered on the management of specific inquiries and the necessity of keeping communications restricted to a limited circle of individuals. Nixon emphasized the importance of total discretion as they aligned their strategy for handling forthcoming public or internal inquiries.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:10 pm and 4:14 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-005 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:10 pm and 4:14 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-006 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig and Raymond Price to finalize the content and tone of his upcoming speech regarding the Vietnam peace settlement. The discussion focused on articulating the strategic necessity of the war and the U.S. commitment to international stability compared to historical precedents. Nixon provided direct instructions to Price regarding the drafting process and cautioned his advisors against idealistic misinterpretations of political opposition and media criticism.
President Nixon used this time to record a memorandum regarding personal family history and to reflect on his administrative schedule and political strategy. He discussed the upcoming announcement of the Vietnam peace settlement, coordinating with staff and congressional leaders to manage public and press reactions. Additionally, Nixon emphasized the need for better pacing of his own schedule to manage fatigue and reviewed ongoing efforts by Charles Colson and other aides to counter political opposition.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to finalize administrative logistics following the announcement of a Vietnam peace settlement. The discussion focused on coordinating the distribution of letters to members of Congress and reviewing revisions to the President's public address regarding the settlement. Woods assisted in managing these critical communications and procedural tasks before concluding the brief meeting.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman to refine the rhetoric for an upcoming public address regarding the Vietnam peace agreement. The discussion focused on framing the Paris agreement as "peace with honor" to secure support from Congress and the public while countering criticism. By reviewing dictated drafts and recordings, Nixon finalized his messaging strategy to distinguish his administration's diplomatic success from a policy of surrender.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed the administration’s strategy for communicating the impending Vietnam settlement to key congressional members and labor leaders. They specifically reviewed the use of letters drafted by Patrick Buchanan and Raymond Price to garner support for the agreement. Additionally, the pair coordinated logistics for Pat Nixon’s attendance at the upcoming funeral of former President Lyndon B. Johnson.
President Nixon consulted with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, regarding the administrative handling of outgoing correspondence. The discussion focused on finalizing a personal note intended for former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson as well as the delivery logistics for official letters addressed to various members of Congress. Woods was tasked with coordinating the specific timing and dispatch of these communications through the military aide and speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:29 pm and 6:19 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-013 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:29 pm and 6:19 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-014 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:29 pm and 6:19 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-015 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 6:19 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-087 of the White House Tapes.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 6:19 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 407-016 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and his secretary, Rose Mary Woods, briefly discussed arrangements following the President's speech on the Vietnam settlement. The conversation touched upon information for the chief White House operator and the broadcast of the speech, with Ronald Ziegler also mentioned. No major decisions or action items are apparent from this short exchange.
President Nixon, along with Charles Colson and Henry Kissinger, strategized on the public relations approach for announcing the Vietnam peace settlement. They discussed how to frame the agreement as a victory for the United States, counter potential criticism from opponents and the media, and leverage supportive voices like Senator Barry Goldwater and labor leaders George Meany and Frank Fitzsimmons. The conversation also touched upon the divisiveness caused by anti-war sentiment and the importance of portraying the settlement as peace with honor, achieved through the President's resolve.
On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:36 pm and 6:38 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-088 of the White House Tapes.