President Richard Nixon and General Alexander Haig discussed the publication of the Pentagon Papers by the New York Times, characterizing the leak as a massive security breach. Haig suggested the documents were likely stolen during the transition from the Johnson administration, aiming to influence the Hatfield-Mansfield Amendment vote. Nixon expressed frustration over the security failure and speculated that the internal Democratic discord caused by the documents might ultimately damage the reputations of Kennedy and Johnson.
On June 13, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:18 pm and 12:42 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 005-050 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 5-50 Date: June 13, 1971 Time: Unknown between 12:18 pm and 12:42 pm Location: White House Telephone The President talked with Gen. Alexander M. Haig, Jr. [See Conversation No. 256-31F] Vietnam War -Weekly casualty figures -Pentagon Papers -New York Times expose -Leak -Robert S. McNamara, Clark M. Clifford -Administration response -Possible time of theft -Hatfield-Mansfield Amendment -Reflection on John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson -Effect [The conversation was cut off at an unknown time before 12:42 pm]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.