Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 004-017
Date: Tuesday, June 1, 1971 at 10:23 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Hoover, J. Edgar
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/004-017

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:01] Hello?
[0:03] Hello?
[0:05] Edgar, I hope you noticed I backed up our people here tonight.
[0:10] You know, weren't, what do you think of that press corps?
[0:12] Isn't that a bunch of bastards?
[0:15] Yeah.
[0:16] But I was, frankly, I was glad they kept hitting that question because, frankly, I think the folks are on our side.
[0:23] They don't give a, I mean, this business about picking up these people, arresting these people, what the hell are you going to do?
[0:28] Let them, let them, huh?
[0:31] Right?
[0:43] But we have to do that.
[0:46] You notice, too, I took a strong line on marijuana.
[0:49] I said, you can't legalize it.
[0:52] Because, you know, we've got these people at the National Institute of... That's right, it's a national problem, not just...
[1:01] Well, I'd like to...
[1:21] I was tempted sometimes to kick him a little harder, but I thought it was well to be a little restrained.
[1:32] That's right.
[1:33] That's what I felt.
[1:50] They knew what I meant.
[1:51] They just thought that they had us on a hook with regard to arresting people.
[1:56] And by golly, what else are you going to do?
[1:58] Just let them tear the city up?
[2:01] It sure was.
[2:27] Oh, the judges are terrible here.
[2:29] We know that.
[2:31] One of the reasons the lower courts will not act is they know they'll be reversed by Bazelon.
[2:58] Good.
[3:00] Well, we can get it.
[3:06] We'll get one.
[3:18] What?
[3:18] That's right.
[3:23] That's great.
[3:23] Do the best you can.
[3:24] Let's get rid of him.
[3:27] Right, right.
[3:31] Right.
[3:31] Yeah.
[3:33] Good.
[3:34] We're meeting Thursday morning, right?
[3:37] Good.
[3:37] And you'll meet with the fellows in advance.
[3:42] Yeah.
[3:42] Good.
[3:45] Right.
[3:46] Right.
[3:51] Right.
[3:55] Good.
[4:01] Okay.
[4:02] Good job.
[4:03] Good.
[4:06] That's right.
[4:06] Load them on.
[4:09] Yeah.
[4:14] Good.
[4:15] It's the FBI.
[4:15] I know.
[4:16] Good.
[4:29] Right.
[4:31] I do.
[4:41] Good.
[4:41] Good.
[4:41] What are they, black?
[5:00] Oh, God.
[5:04] Good.
[5:24] Great, great.
[5:24] If I could make it, that would be great.
[5:28] Good.
[5:28] Well, if you can, that would be great, Edgar.
[5:32] Good.
[5:33] Okay.
[5:34] We'll see you Thursday then.
[5:36] Thursday morning.
[5:37] Bye.