Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 046-166
Date: Tuesday, May 22, 1973 at 8:28 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/046-166

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 Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Yeah, sir, this should be an easy assignment to get to Scott, that he should put out the fact that he urged the president release the fact that he records with regard to the use of wiretapping during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
[0:23] You understand?
[0:24] Yes.
[0:24] Now, let me start you on the Ellsberg thing.
[0:26] That's a command.
[0:26] That's nothing else.
[0:28] You know, I've told this to Al.
[0:30] He didn't want to get it out, but God damn it, I want it out.
[0:32] You understand?
[0:33] I do.
[0:33] Yes, sir.
[0:34] And it must get out.
[0:35] And I don't give a shit if we even get blamed for it, but we'll just say that it was, you know, there's plenty of reason for it.
[0:44] There are people up there that want to hear it, don't they?
[0:47] Yes, we'll do that.
[0:47] It's being demanded.
[0:49] Demanded.
[0:49] You see the point?
[0:50] Right.
[0:51] And...
[0:52] This other thing is very important.
[0:53] I want the word out around the hill that Scott is insisting that the records of the Kennedy and Johnson wiretaps be put out.
[1:03] And the president is considering releasing not only the records, but
[1:07] the content of all wire caps over the past 10 years.
[1:11] You understand?
[1:12] Yes, I do.
[1:13] The other point is, which will float back to Helms, and I wanted to get to him.
[1:16] I don't know how you can do it.
[1:18] Here's this.
[1:19] That I have decided to declassify the Bay of Pigs, including information he's furnished to me and the murder.
[1:27] You understand that?
[1:28] Right.
[1:28] That's what we're moving, but I'll do it.
[1:31] I want that to get to him.
[1:32] The president decided it'll be done probably this weekend.
[1:36] I just want him to be prepared, including the material that he gave to me in private.
[1:40] All right.
[1:40] Is that clear?
[1:41] Yes, sir.
[1:41] All right.
[1:42] Good.