Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 005-115
Date: Thursday, June 17, 1971 at 6:55 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/005-115

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:01] Yes, sir, Mr. President.
[0:03] I want a straight ultimatum put to Johnson.
[0:06] All right, sir.
[0:07] And the ultimatum is this, that tomorrow in Rochester I'll have 200 of the Washington press corps covering me.
[0:15] I am prepared to defend him and the system and the rest, but I cannot do it unless he is prepared to go on Saturday in a press conference to defend himself.
[0:26] I cannot, otherwise I've just got to let the chips fall where they may.
[0:29] Mm-hmm.
[0:30] I need to know.
[0:31] I need to know tonight.
[0:32] I'm preparing the press conference.
[0:33] Is that clear?
[0:34] Yes, sir.
[0:35] I have reached Bryce, and he's on a line holding for me, so I'll give it to him as direct and try to get him through right away.
[0:42] That's it.
[0:43] I'll get back to you, sir.