Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 2 › Conversation 002-067
Nixon phone call with Colson on Press conference and Media relations
Thursday, April 29, 1971 · 10:40 PM–10:49 PM ET · White House Telephone · 9 min
AI Summary
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the aftermath of a recent press conference, focusing on the President’s assertive stance against media critics and anti-war protesters. Nixon emphasizes his commitment to upholding the rule of law while clarifying his position on peaceful versus unlawful demonstrations. To maintain momentum, the President instructs Colson to coordinate with supportive Republican senators, such as Hugh Scott and Robert Griffin, to publicly validate his performance and policy agenda.
- Press conference
- Media relations
- Anti-war protesters
- Rule of law
- Republican politics
- Political strategy
Audio
Transcript (AI-generated)
This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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Yeah.
I haven't told him that, sorry.
Hello?
Well, you always say that.
That was pretty tough.
They were tough.
Yeah.
Well, they were trying to get at me, and I knew what they were trying to get at.
I wouldn't let them do it.
Well, what?
Blow the belt.
That's all right.
Gave me a chance to say, here's a guy that's got a shoulder injury, and God damn it, he ought to be in the White House.
Well, they thought it was all right, huh?
Everybody recognized I said I was still against it.
I'm not saying that nobody in this country, not even the president, is above the law.
It's a good thing to let the country know.
But also saying that if they come peacefully, fine.
But if they break the law, we're going to prosecute them to the limits of the law.
Is that...
Well, there isn't going to be.
Hell, we haven't got the troops.
That's right.
Watch it.
Did they show me talking to the camera a couple of times?
Yeah, where I said that, you know, I know that many of you in this, I really respect the press, I said many of you in this audience agree with the demonstrators.
You disagree with my policy.
I understand.
I respect it, but I don't agree with you.
It's well to tell the bastards that.
Well, I thought, too, the line was not a bad one when I worked out that I said that there's not peace in our time, but peace in their time that I'm concerned about.
Okay, Chuck.
Now, Chuck, see that there's a follow-up now.
A few senators say a few kind words tomorrow, you know.
They should say, well, by God, the president's right.
Can you do that?
Who can you get to face with, do you think?
Scott?
Griffin?
Wright?
Tell him that we appreciate what they're doing.
You know, tell him that you and I have talked.
That you appreciate what they're doing.
You know we have a perfect advantage.
You told him?
Yeah.
Okay, bud.
Follow up now.
NARA Description
On April 29, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 10:40 pm to 10:49 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 002-067 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 2-67
Date: April 29,1971
Time: 10:40 pm - 10:49 pm
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with Charles W. Colson.
[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]
President’s press conference
-Tone
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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 12/19/2017.]
[Unintelligible]
[002-067-w001]
[Duration: 44s]
[Tape Malfunction]
Back to Top
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
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President’s press conference
-Media attack
-Unknown person
-White House
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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 12/19/2017.]
[Unintelligible]
[002-067-w002]
[Duration: 16s]
[Tape Malfunction]
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President’s press conference
-President’s position
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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 12/19/2017.]
[Unintelligible]
[002-067-w003]
[Duration: 22s]
[Tape Malfunction]
Back to Top
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
*****************************************************************************
President’s press conference
-Law
-No one is above the law
-Protestors
-Peaceful
-Prosecution
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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 12/19/2017.]
[Unintelligible]
[002-067-w004]
[Duration: 15s]
[Tape Malfunction]
*****************************************************************************
Vietnam
-Troops
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[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 12/19/2017.]
[Unintelligible]
[002-067-w005]
[Duration: 13s]
[Tape Malfunction]
Back to Top
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
*****************************************************************************
President’s press conference
-Attack of press
-Press
-Agreement with protestors
-Disagreement with President’s policies
-Peace
******************************************************************************
[Previous archivists categorized this section as unintelligible. It has been rereviewed and
released 12/19/2017.]
[Unintelligible]
[002-067-w006]
[Duration: 4m 32s]
[Tape Malfunction]
President’s press conference
-Questions
-Economy
-Television commentary
-President's People's Republic of China [PRC] initiative
-Unnamed person's views and support
-Hardhats
-Response
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President’s press conference
-Senators’ response
-Hugh Scott
-Robert P. Griffin
-William E. Brock, III
Back to Top
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542Also recorded on April 30, 1971
- 002-061 10:25 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:25 pm and 10:31 pm.
- 002-062 10:25 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:25 pm and 10:31 pm.
- 002-064 10:31 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:31 pm.
- 002-065 10:36 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan talked on the telephone from 10:36 pm to 10:39 pm.
- 002-066 10:39 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Marjorie P. Acker talked on the telephone from 10:39 pm to 10:40 pm.
- 002-068 10:50 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:50 pm and 10:57 pm.
- 002-069 10:50 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:50 pm and 10:57 pm.
- 002-070 10:50 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:50 pm and 10:57 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 002-067, April 30, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/002-067 (accessed October 12, 2026).