Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 038-058
Date: Sunday, April 15, 1973 at 9:39 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Petersen, Henry E.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/038-058

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Henry, I've been talking to John Dean, and I'm quite finished, but he stepped out for a minute.
[0:09] I wanted to ask you this.
[0:10] He says that he thinks it's important that I tell Libby's attorney, I don't know his name, I'm a realist, you know, that what I told you a few minutes ago, that he's still, huh?
[0:23] Yes, we're already trying to get in touch with him.
[0:25] Let me say this.
[0:26] You tell him, if necessary, you haul his ass in here and I'll tell him, okay?
[0:31] All right.
[0:31] You know what I mean?
[0:32] You tell him that I have called you directly tonight and that you have a direct from the president.
[0:37] If he needs to hear it from me, I'll tell him.
[0:39] Very good.
[0:40] Because, you see, John felt that maybe he wouldn't take it from you, but I would think he would.
[0:45] What do you think?
[0:45] What's your judgment?
[0:47] Well, we'll certainly tell him.
[0:49] He and Lydia are very close friends and I'm certainly worried we'll get back to him.
[0:54] Okay, you tell Morales that the president has directed that you, that he is here to talk to him and to tell him he is to tell everything he knows.
[1:06] He should have before, but my point is, if necessary, if he has to come in and see me, but you come with him.
[1:14] I don't want any things where he comes in and makes any motions.
[1:17] You see what I mean?
[1:17] I understand.
[1:18] Does this sound like good medicine to you, or do you think I should not see him?
[1:23] I think we ought to raise that question after we see what the reaction is.
[1:26] Right.
[1:26] I would prefer if you could handle it, because it ought to be handled at your level rather than me bringing some crummy attorney in and giving him an order.
[1:32] I agree.
[1:33] So you do it on my direction.
[1:35] I think that'll do the trick.
[1:36] If it doesn't, I'll see myself.
[1:38] Very well.
[1:39] All right.