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Conversation 045-048

TapeTape 45StartMonday, April 30, 1973 at 10:34 PMEndMonday, April 30, 1973 at 10:36 PMParticipantsWhite House operator;  Cox, Tricia Nixon;  Kleindienst, Richard G.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and newly appointed Attorney General Elliot Richardson spoke to discuss the fallout of the Watergate scandal and Richardson's upcoming confirmation. Richardson expressed strong support for the President’s recent televised address, while Nixon reaffirmed his confidence in Richardson's ability to handle the investigation. The two touched upon the sensitive issue of appointing a special prosecutor, with Nixon granting Richardson full autonomy to decide how to proceed while promising his complete backing in the pursuit of the truth.

Watergate scandalElliot RichardsonSpecial ProsecutorPresidential addressDepartment of Justice
AudioNARA Description

On April 30, 1973, White House operator, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Richard G. Kleindienst talked on the telephone from 10:34 pm to 10:36 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-048 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 45-48

Date: April 30, 1973
Time: 10:34 pm - 10:36 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The White House operator talked with Tricia Nixon Cox.

     Telephone call from Elliot L. Richardson
          -Stephen B. Bull

Tricia Nixon Cox conferred with the President.

     Telephone call from Richardson

The President talked with Richardson.

     President’s call

     Watergate
          -President’s speech
          -President’s conversation with Bull
                -Richardson’s telephone call
                -President’s telephone calls
                      -William F. (“Billy”) Graham
          -President’s speech
                                            -33-

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     (rev. October-2012)

                                                               Conversation No. 45-48 (cont’d)

           -Richardson’s party
                -Attendees
                       -William P. Clements, Jr.
                       -Reaction to President’s speech
           -Richardson’s forthcoming duties
                -Special Prosecutor
                -[First name unknown] Hastings
                -Charles Evans Hughes
                -Richardson’s meeting with Henry E. Petersen
                -President’s views
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.

Mr. President.
Hello?
Secretary Richardson, Foreign Minister Hull told me to put it right here.
Yes, thank you.
Hello.
You are good.
Hello.
Hello, Mr. President.
Hi, Elliot.
Thank you for calling back.
No, I tried to reach you about half an hour ago, but the damn lines are so busy.
Oh, really?
No, that's right.
Oh, that's right.
Well, I thought that was really great.
Well, you're very kind to say that.
In the real sense, your finest hour.
I tried to call you actually.
I just learned about this because the lines have been jammed.
I just learned about five minutes ago from Steve Bull that you had called, and I said, For Christ's sakes, why don't you put it through?
He said, Well, we had other calls on.
I was on the phone, good God, my God, Billy Graham and eighteen other people, but I just wanted you to know I hadn't cut you off because of that.
Because you can always get through.
I want you to know, you can always get through.
Believe me.
Well, I thank you, Mr. President.
I was very moved and touched by what you said about me, and I can assure you that—well, you know what I mean.
I won't let you down.
I know.
Do your job, boy.
It may take you all the way.
You know, it so happened that I was having a party here tonight for the military assistants who'd been with Bill Clements and me and who were just needing new jobs.
And so all the chiefs were here.
And we all watched and listened to you together.
What do you think?
I don't think I've ever been with a group of people who were more moved.
by an occasion like this.
Really?
Really.
And it was a great thing, really, for all of us.
Well, you know, I meant it.
As you know, Al, it came from the heart because you were up there with me and you know how rugged this was.
But it had to be done.
We could feel it.
Well, you're the man.
You're my man.
And by God, we back you up all to the hilt.
Do you understand that?
I do.
I do.
All right, Elliot.
And I won't let you down, Mr. President.
Oh, I know that.
I know that.
That's why I named you.
Well, I can only say that I— Go ahead.
I think I can do it right.
I really do.
Of course you can.
Of course you can.
Elliot, the one thing they're going to be hitting you on is about the special prosecutor.
The point is, I'm not sure you should have one.
I'm not sure about what you should say.
You assume the responsibility for the prosecution and maybe bring that nice fellow, Hastings or whatever his name is,
Whatever you want.
Good God, if you want to, you know, do the extreme Charles Evans Hughes, do it.
Yeah, I don't mind.
Okay.
Well, I'm thinking about it, and I met with Henry Peterson this afternoon.
Right.
And I talked with him about it, and I'll think about it some more.
Do what you want, and I'll back you to the hill.
I don't give a damn what you do.
I am for you.
You understand?
Get to the bottom of this, son of a bitch.
I do.
All right, Elliot.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you for calling, and give my best to your lover of life.
I will, sir.
... ...
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