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Conversation 023-109

TapeTape 23StartTuesday, May 2, 1972 at 11:16 AMEndTuesday, May 2, 1972 at 11:17 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Johnson, Lyndon B.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon initiated this brief call to inform Lyndon B. Johnson of the death of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Nixon expressed his commitment to maintaining Hoover’s position despite intense political pressure to remove him, noting that he had protected the Director to avoid a divisive confirmation fight in the Senate. Johnson lamented the loss, affirming his long-standing professional and personal regard for Hoover.

J. Edgar HooverFBILyndon B. JohnsonPresidential transitionsPolitical appointments
AudioNARA Description

On May 2, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson talked on the telephone from 11:16 am to 11:17 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-109 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 23-109
Date: May 2, 1972
Time: 11:16-11:17 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Lyndon B. Johnson.

[See also Conversation No. 717-8]

     J. Edgar Hoover
           -Death
                -The President's announcement
                 -The President's previous call
           -Past pressure on the President for Hoover's removal
                 -The President's refusal
           -Johnson's opinion
Transcript (AI-Generated)

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello.
President Johnson, sir.
Hello.
Hello.
I was trying to reach you.
I just announced the death of J. Edgar Hoover.
And I just heard you.
Right.
And I know how much you thought of him, and I tried to reach you before, but you were out someplace.
I'm very grateful, and I'm very sorry he's gone, and we'll be a big loss to our country.
Well, one thing about it, you know, they were after him, and a lot of people were trying to get me to fire him, and I told him early this year, I said, look, this is no time to change directors because we'd have a hell of a fight in the Senate, and, you know, a political fight, and so at least he outlived his detractors.
I hope.
I hope so, too.
He was a good man.
I'm sorry to see him gone.
He's my neighbor for a long time.
I know that.
Thank you so much.
Bye.
Okay.
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