Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 038-086
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 1973 at 2:39 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ehrlichman, John D.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/038-086

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] John.
[0:01] Yes, sir.
[0:01] I don't want to interrupt your statement, but I just wanted to be sure to check that twice you want with Peterson to be in just five to ten minutes.
[0:09] So, one, no immunity.
[0:12] However, I would say for any top, any of the top three,
[0:16] In other words, so that I can, it sort of appears that if you want to give a distraught, that's okay.
[0:22] Don't you think that's a good line?
[0:23] I think that's good.
[0:24] All right.
[0:25] Any of the people in the... Yeah.
[0:28] Yeah.
[0:28] The four points, as I wrote them down, were to inform him that you were making a statement.
[0:32] And that I've done.
[0:33] Your policy with regard to suspension and firing, which is charges or indictment.
[0:39] Indictment for suspension and firing for conviction, which will be in the statement that I'm drafting.
[0:45] Okay.
[0:47] You'll tell the press that.
[0:49] Right.
[0:50] Then privately, to him, your policy with regard to immunity for top people.
[0:55] Yeah.
[0:56] I wouldn't limit it to three.
[0:58] I'd say any top person, like Dean or up.
[1:02] Yeah.
[1:04] Yeah.
[1:04] That's right.
[1:06] But then I'll say, as far as a fellow like Strawn, that's fine.
[1:09] Do what you want.
[1:10] Yeah.
[1:10] Yeah.
[1:11] I think that strengthens the position.
[1:13] Coulson, Dean, anybody of that kind, no dice.
[1:17] Please mention these four to me.
[1:18] I'll just say them.
[1:20] And then forth the leaks out of the Grand Jury.
[1:25] And we'll report it to him, whether he doesn't think that later exposure would prejudice the whole investigation and whether or not he shouldn't withdraw at an appropriate time.
[1:35] Charges or replacement can be obtained.
[1:36] Charges that I'm going to follow a policy of accepting resignations and charges or indictment.
[1:44] Is that it?
[1:45] No, of a suspension on indictment and a resignation on conviction.
[1:52] Oh, of course.
[1:53] That's right.
[1:53] Everybody would know that.
[1:54] Suspension on indictment and resignation on refusing to cooperate.
[2:04] Right.
[2:05] Or conviction.
[2:06] Yeah.
[2:07] Right.
[2:07] And what about charges?
[2:10] I mean, remember, we had that gray area.
[2:12] Well, there again, you'll have to reserve the right, depending on the seriousness of the charge.
[2:20] And I'll say, if there's a serious corroborated charge, then you want him to bring it to you, and you'll reserve judgment on the individual case.
[2:29] Okay, good.