Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 3 › Conversation 003-130

Nixon phone call with Kiernan on Law enforcement

Wednesday, May 26, 1971 · 2:17 PM–2:19 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kiernan, Edward J.Conversation003-130 on Tape 3 (tape position 03:15:44–03:18:01)StartWednesday, May 26, 1971 at 2:17 PMEndWednesday, May 26, 1971 at 2:19 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 003-130 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon telephoned Edward J. Kiernan to express his condolences following the recent slayings of police officers in New York City. Nixon requested that Kiernan convey his appreciation for the force's service and reassured him that the vast majority of Americans support law enforcement during these difficult times. The conversation also touched upon the necessity of fostering greater public respect for police officers, with both men noting that the tragic incidents served to re-awaken public support for law and order.

Audio

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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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Mr. President, Mr. Edward J. Kiernan for you, sir.
All right, fine.
Hello, Mr. President.
I just called to tell you that I, like I'm sure millions of people in this country, was deeply shocked by the events of the past few days.
And I want you to
First, I will be writing.
I am writing.
As a matter of fact, I've already dictated the notes to the families.
But also, if you would tell the people in your organization, the people in the force, that we appreciate their service to the country and to their city, and that they...
that they should keep their courage up.
These are hard times, but the great majority of people in this country back them.
Well, I think they know that.
And even the city turned out, I understand, on this occasion, and people from all over the country, too.
Today we had police departments from all over the country, Denver, Colorado.
And 45 different states.
Unbelievable.
That's fine.
I was just down in Alabama yesterday, and I was in both Mobile and Birmingham, and of course there were huge crowds in there, but I just made a point to be sure to speak whenever I could to one of those fellows on the beat and thank him for what he was doing.
That's what we really need to do.
We need to reinstill among...
among decent people, respect for the men who protect us, who protect us from the criminal elements.
Well, I think we're on the road to that right now.
Right.
Swinging back that way, Knight.
Right.
Well, it's too bad that an incident like this has to shock people to their senses, but I think it had a good effect.
And in that respect.
People, they have to be shocked every once in a while.
That's right.
That's right.
Well, you extend my best to the other men in the force.
I really appreciate your call.
Thank you.
Thanks very much.

NARA Description

On May 26, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Edward J. Kiernan talked on the telephone from 2:17 pm to 2:19 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 003-130 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 003-130

Date: May 26, 1971
Time: 2:17 pm - 2:19 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Edward J. Kiernan.

[See Conversation No. 253-010A]

     Police slayings in New York, NY
          -President's condolences
                -President's letters
          -President's support for police
                -Public opinion
          -Funeral
                -Attendees

     President's trip to Alabama
          -Comments to policemen

     Public opinion regarding law and order
          -Effect of New York police slayings

     President's condolences

       Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542

Also recorded on May 26, 1971

  • 253-010 2:17 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Manolo Sanchez, and Edward J. Kiernan met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:17 pm and 2:19 pm.
  • 003-131 2:19 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and unknown person(s) talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:19 pm and 2:20 pm.
  • 253-011 2:19 PM · 6 sec — 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 2:19 pm and 2:20 pm.
  • 003-132 2:20 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 2:20 pm to 2:21 pm.
  • 253-012 2:20 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:20 pm to 2:21 pm.
  • 003-133 2:21 PM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:21 pm and 3:12 pm.
  • 253-013 2:21 PM · 10 min — President Richard M. Nixon, John D. Ehrlichman, and Rose Mary Woods met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:21 pm and 3:12 pm.
  • 253-014 2:21 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:21 pm and 3:12 pm.

All 83 conversations from May 26, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 003-130, May 26, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/003-130 (accessed October 3, 2026).