Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 38 › Conversation 038-041

Petersen & Lugar on Richard G. Kleindienst and Department of Justice

Sunday, April 15, 1973 · 1:12 PM–2:22 PM ET · White House Telephone · 27 sec

ParticipantsLugar, Richard G.; Petersen, Henry E.Conversation038-041 on Tape 38StartSunday, April 15, 1973 at 1:12 PMEndSunday, April 15, 1973 at 2:22 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 038-041 ↗

AI Summary

Richard G. Kleindienst and Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen coordinated a brief, urgent meeting to be held at Kleindienst's office. The conversation focused on logistics for Petersen’s arrival, including instructions for him to use a private elevator and a secure entrance. No substantive policy matters were discussed, as the call was exclusively intended to facilitate a private, immediate administrative consultation.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Mr. Peterson.
Yes.
Pardon?
Yes.
Can you come down to the office?
I'll be there in about five or ten minutes, so I'll just wait for you at my office.
I have to dress?
Huh?
Do I have to dress?
No, no you don't.
Okay.
And come up to the private elevator and I'll have my back door open.
Okay, you're right there.
Okay, buddy.

NARA Description

On April 15, 1973, Richard G. Lugar and Henry E. Petersen talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:12 pm and 2:22 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 038-041 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 38-41

Date: April 15, 1973
Time: Unknown between 1:12 pm and 2:22 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Richard G. Kleindienst talked with Henry E. Petersen.

     Petersen’s schedule
           -Location
           -Time
           -Dress
           -Arrival

Also recorded on April 15, 1973

  • 896-006 10:35 AM · 1 hr 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon, John D. Ehrlichman, Manolo Sanchez, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:35 am to 11:15 am.
  • 038-040 1:12 PM · 26 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Richard G. Kleindienst talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:12 pm and 2:22 pm.
  • 038-042 2:22 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:22 pm and 3:27 pm.
  • 038-043 3:27 PM · 18 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 3:27 pm to 3:44 pm.
  • 038-044 3:44 PM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:44 pm and 3:48 pm.
  • 038-045 3:48 PM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Richard G. Kleindienst talked on the telephone from 3:48 pm to 3:49 pm.
  • 038-046 3:50 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at 3:50 pm.
  • 038-047 4:00 PM · 20 sec — Henry E. Petersen, White House operator, and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:00 pm and 5:15 pm.

All 20 conversations from April 15, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 038-041, April 15, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/038-041 (accessed October 12, 2026).