Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 35 › Conversation 035-128

Nixon phone call with Brennan on Confirmation hearings and Department of Labor

Thursday, January 11, 1973 · 9:08 AM–9:09 AM ET · White House Telephone · 46 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Brennan, Peter J.Conversation035-128 on Tape 35StartThursday, January 11, 1973 at 9:08 AMEndThursday, January 11, 1973 at 9:09 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 035-128 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon called Secretary of Labor-designate Peter J. Brennan to offer encouragement and support regarding his ongoing confirmation process. The two discussed the challenges Brennan faced during the hearings, specifically noting the critical coverage by The Washington Post. Nixon dismissed the negative press as predictable, affirming his confidence in Brennan’s ability to navigate the scrutiny successfully.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Yeah.
Mr. Peter Brennan, sir.
Yeah.
Hello.
Good morning.
I've not been bothering you because I know you're getting busy and getting ready for your confirmation, but I just wanted to wish you luck and tell you that we're mighty proud of the way you're handling yourself.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Are you enjoying it?
Well, so far, it's because a lot of people are trying to give me a hard time at a time that I like to take on.
Oh, but aren't your friends there all standing by you?
Oh, they're there.
Well, you know, this is the time when you find out what your friends are and you have a lot of fun.
Well, now you enjoy it and it'll all come out all right, I can assure you.
The Washington Post is trying to make it miserable, but that's per usual.
Listen, if they didn't, I'd fire you.
Okay.
Thank you, sir.
Bye.
Bye.
Thank you very much.

NARA Description

On January 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Peter J. Brennan talked on the telephone from 9:08 am to 9:09 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 035-128 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 35-128

Date: January 11, 1973
Time: 9:08 am - 9:09 am
                                              -112-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. Oct.-07)

                                                          Conversation No. 35-128 (cont’d)

Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Peter J. Brennan.

[See Conversation No. 838-11A]

       Brennan’s confirmation hearings
            -Congratulations
            -Problems
                  -Washington Post

Also recorded on January 11, 1973

  • 035-127 8:36 AM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-002 8:36 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Marjorie P. Acker met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-003 8:36 AM · 19 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-004 8:36 AM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-005 8:36 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-006 8:36 AM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-011 9:04 AM · 38 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Col. Richard T. Kennedy, and Peter J. Brennan met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:04 am to 9:42 am.
  • 035-129 9:09 AM · 29 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Col. Richard T. Kennedy talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:09 am and 9:42 am.

All 63 conversations from January 11, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 035-128, January 11, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/035-128 (accessed October 11, 2026).