Conversation 002-023

TapeTape 2StartWednesday, April 21, 1971 at 1:12 PMEndWednesday, April 21, 1971 at 1:13 PMTape start time00:35:24Tape end time00:36:06ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Dean, John W., IIIRecording deviceWhite House Telephone

AI Summary

President Nixon directs John Dean to ensure that local police and authorities take no action against anti-war veterans demonstrating in Washington, D.C. Nixon emphasizes a strategy of inaction, instructing Dean to stall any decision-making through meetings while allowing the protesters to continue their activities undisturbed. This directive reflects the President's desire to avoid confrontation and potential negative optics pending a resolution from the Supreme Court.

Vietnam Veterans Against the Warprotest managementJohn MitchellRichard Kleindienstpolice policyWhite House strategy

Audio

NARA Description

On April 21, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John W. Dean, III talked on the telephone from 1:12 pm to 1:13 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 002-023 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 2-23

Date: April 21, 1971
Time: 1:12 pm - 1:13 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with John W. Dean, III.

[See Conversation No. 484-13B]

[A transcript of the following portion of this conversation was prepared under court order from
December 1978 through March 1979 for Special Access 8, Ronald V. Dellums, et al. v. James M.
Powell, et al., No. 71-2271. The National Archives and Records Administration produced this
transcript. The National Archives does not guarantee its accuracy.]

[End of transcript]

Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Yeah.

President, sir.

Yeah.

Yes, sir.

I want to be sure.

I talked to the attorney general this morning earlier than was here.

Nothing is done on these veterans.

Is that understood?

Absolutely.

Now, now, as a word out that they are not to touch him or do a thing.

And if you ask any question, just say, well, it came too late or they're only going to be here a couple of days or how are you handling it?

My thought is that we don't know what the Supreme Court's going to do yet.

We have a meeting scheduled at 3 o'clock over in Kleindienst's office to kick it around to see what we can do.

You just kick it around and kick it around and kick it around and don't do a damn thing.

Get a hold of the district police.

They're not to touch them.

They're to do nothing.

Just let them raise hell.

I agree, and we will pursue the court.

Okay, sir.

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