Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 006-059
Date: Wednesday, June 30, 1971 at 3:08 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/006-059

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Hello.
[0:01] Yes, sir, Mr. President.
[0:02] Well, it came out just like I predicted, didn't it?
[0:05] Yes, sir.
[0:05] Except the interesting thing that we held Harlan lost quiet.
[0:09] I thought it would be the other way around.
[0:11] I thought we might get five to four out of it.
[0:13] I was kind of hoping.
[0:15] Of course, the principle remains intact, I gather.
[0:18] I haven't seen the decisions, but I understand from what I've been told that the principle at least of...
[0:24] classification of classification and of being able to prevent unauthorized disclosures if the evidence supports it yeah so that really what what it says is that the evidence in this instance doesn't support it well uh i just saw it mitchell though and i said now don't don't let
[0:43] Don't give up on Ellsberg.
[0:44] And he said, well, I guess they're going to try to make him a martyr.
[0:48] And I said, God damn it, don't worry about his being a martyr.
[0:50] I don't think they can get away with that one.
[0:52] I don't either.
[0:53] Do you?
[0:53] No, sir.
[0:55] I've taken all this into account.
[0:56] I never expected the court to uphold us on this, their First Amendment.
[1:01] One thing, of course, about Stuart, that's really disgraceful.
[1:03] I think the point on that...
[1:05] A few people get around the very obvious fact that he's so overwhelmed by the Washington-Georgetown social set.
[1:12] He's just a weak bastard.
[1:14] Well, he is.
[1:15] And, of course, he's got a drinking problem.
[1:17] There's a lot of... Oh, is that right?
[1:19] Oh, yeah.
[1:20] There's a...
[1:21] and can't find him sober most evenings.
[1:24] Well, anyway, on this, though, I think we're fine.
[1:28] I made a very tough speech at the FBI Academy about your permissiveness.
[1:32] Did you hear about that?
[1:33] I did, and I think it's excellent, Mr. Fauci.
[1:35] Follow up on it.
[1:36] I certainly will, sir.
[1:38] Bye.