Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 164
Nixon White House Tape 164 (April 28, 1973 – April 30, 1973)
61 conversations · Camp David Study Table · about 2 hr 53 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Ziegler, Rogers, Bull, Woods
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his Press Secretary, Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief exchange served purely administrative purposes, as the President requested assistance in establishing communication with a key member of his staff. No substantive policy discussions or major developments occurred during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed managing the intensifying Watergate scandal and the White House's public relations strategy while navigating impending Grand Jury indictments. The President emphasized his commitment to "rooting out" wrongdoing and directed Ziegler to maintain a strong, defiant posture, framing the situation as a necessary cleaning of the house rather than a cover-up. They also strategized on how to handle potential testimony from individuals like E. Howard Hunt, maintained a firm stance on granting immunity, and began preparing themes for an upcoming presidential address to reassure the public and preserve the prestige of the presidency.
President Nixon initiated a brief administrative call to the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection. He specifically directed the operator to place a call to H. R. “Bob” Haldeman. The interaction served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with his Chief of Staff.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the escalating Watergate crisis, specifically focusing on the timing of their impending resignation leaves and the President’s forthcoming national address. Nixon seeks to maintain distance from legal negotiations involving John Dean and considers proposing that Attorney General William P. Rogers take charge of a special investigation to restore public confidence. They also review the handling of sensitive White House documents and the importance of appearing resilient and in control amid mounting political pressure.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to initiate a telephone call to Secretary of State William P. Rogers. This brief exchange served exclusively as a logistical step to establish communication with the Secretary. No substantive policy matters or further decisions were discussed during this interaction.
President Nixon consulted with Secretary of State William P. Rogers to coordinate a strategy for responding to the escalating Watergate scandal and to arrange a meeting at Camp David. Nixon informed Rogers that H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman were preparing to resign and that he intended to remove John Dean from his position. The President further outlined his plan to deliver a televised address to assure the public that his administration was actively investigating the matter and remaining in control.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone call. The sole purpose of the exchange was to request a connection to Stephen B. Bull. No further substantive policy or political discussions took place during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon directs his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate the transportation of Secretary of State William P. Rogers to Camp David for a private meeting. The logistics involve arranging a military helicopter to transport Rogers from a helipad near his residence in Bethesda to the designated landing site at Thurmont. Bull is instructed to finalize these details promptly and report back to the President with an estimated arrival time to facilitate scheduling.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. This interaction was strictly logistical, serving as an administrative step to initiate a high-level discussion regarding the ongoing legal and political developments of the era. No policy decisions were discussed during this brief exchange, which functioned solely to bridge the communication link.
President Nixon and Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen discussed the ongoing Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the potential granting of immunity to John Dean and the administration's need to maintain credibility. Nixon reiterated his decision not to meet with Dean, deferring all prosecutorial discretion regarding immunity and plea bargaining to Petersen to ensure an unbiased pursuit of the truth. Additionally, they reviewed the status of the Ellsberg trial and explored the possibility of appointing a respected outsider, such as John McCloy, to oversee key decisions alongside Justice Department officials to alleviate public concerns.
Stephen B. Bull contacted President Nixon to provide an update regarding the arrival time of Secretary of State William P. Rogers at Camp David. The brief communication served to coordinate logistics for the Secretary's upcoming visit. No further policy or administrative decisions were reached during this exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to request a telephone connection with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. This routine communication facilitated administrative coordination while the President was working from the Camp David study. The call served as a brief logistical step to initiate a conversation with his senior staff.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discussed a strategic plan to manage the mounting Watergate crisis ahead of a forthcoming presidential speech. Ziegler proposed that Nixon appoint William P. Rogers as Attorney General to lead the Justice Department, arguing this move would provide a "masterstroke" that separates the President from the ongoing investigation. The pair also coordinated the handling of H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and John Dean, focusing on the implementation of forced leaves of absence to stabilize the administration while maintaining the President's personal defense against allegations.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a meeting with Secretary of State William P. Rogers. The President requested that Rogers be summoned from the Laurel cabin to his current location. This brief exchange served exclusively as a logistical coordination to arrange a direct consultation between the two officials.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to facilitate a conference call between Secretary of State William P. Rogers and Elliot L. Richardson. The request served to connect the two Cabinet members for official communication. This administrative coordination was part of the President's ongoing management of his senior staff during a period of high-level government transitions.
Secretary of State William P. Rogers utilized the Camp David operator to assist in locating Elliot L. Richardson. The primary objective of the call was to reach Richardson, who was reportedly attending to matters at his children’s school. The operator was instructed to continue efforts to establish contact with him.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief interaction served as a logistical bridge to initiate official communication between the President and his top spokesperson. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief administrative request.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler consulted on the impending resignations of top aides H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and John Dean in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Nixon discussed implementing a new administrative strategy that emphasized his own direct leadership while managing the fallout from emerging reports regarding the 'Plumbers' activities, including the Pentagon Papers break-in and forged diplomatic cables. The President also evaluated a potential plan—proposed via Secretary of State William Rogers—to require Dean's resignation if he sought amnesty for his testimony, contrasting this with the voluntary cooperation of Haldeman and Ehrlichman.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to initiate a telephone call to his Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman. The President explicitly directed the operator to ensure Haldeman remained available for the connection. This brief exchange served solely to facilitate direct communication between the President and a key advisor during the ongoing political turmoil of the period.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to locate H. R. Haldeman, who was unavailable due to personal activities. After learning of Haldeman's absence, the President requested that the call be patched through to John D. Ehrlichman instead. This exchange highlights the administration's communication protocols during a period of high internal pressure.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the strategic handling of the Watergate scandal, specifically addressing the impending departure of John Dean and the potential legal exposure related to White House "plumbers" operations. They evaluated the political necessity of Ehrlichman and H.R. Haldeman taking a leave of absence to create a clear separation from the scandal and prepare for an upcoming public address by the President. During the conversation, Nixon probed Ehrlichman about his involvement in, and knowledge of, unauthorized activities and questionable intelligence operations—including alleged fabricated documents involving the Kennedy administration—while also coordinating on how to manage communications with the Attorney General and legal counsel.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to inquire about the whereabouts of Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The brief administrative exchange focused on locating Ziegler to facilitate communication between the President and his press office. No further policy discussions or significant decisions occurred during this brief request for assistance.
President Nixon consulted with the Camp David operator to coordinate logistics and communication with his staff. He requested updates on Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler’s travel status and directed the operator to initiate a telephone call with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. These directives reflect the President's efforts to manage administrative communications while stationed at Camp David.
President Nixon consulted with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen regarding the legal status of potential immunity for John Dean, specifically inquiring whether preliminary discussions between prosecutors and Dean's legal counsel had created "immunity by estoppel." Nixon expressed concern that Dean might invoke the Fifth Amendment during upcoming legal proceedings in New York, clarifying that he would not permit any White House staffer on leave to maintain their position if they refused to testify freely. Petersen confirmed that no formal or estoppel-based immunity had been granted, and he was tasked with providing the President with an update on Dean's status and testimony plans on the following Monday.
Ronald L. Ziegler initiated a call to Gerald L. Warren to receive a briefing on an impending Washington Post story regarding the Watergate scandal. Warren reported that John Dean was prepared to testify under oath that H. R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman directed a White House cover-up and possessed knowledge of illegal activities, including wiretapping. The conversation highlights the internal state of alarm and the chaotic efforts by senior officials to mount a counter-offensive against Dean's damaging allegations.
Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler directed the Camp David operator to locate former aide Charles W. Colson, who was visiting his son in Princeton, New Jersey. The effort to reach Colson proved difficult as he was not registered at his expected motel and had uncertain travel plans for the evening. Ziegler specifically instructed the operator to maintain a professional demeanor and ensure the request did not appear overly urgent.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with his National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger. This brief interaction served solely as an administrative request to reach Kissinger for official consultation. No further policy discussions or significant substantive developments occurred during this short exchange.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger spoke via telephone to discuss the ongoing political damage caused by the Watergate scandal and strategies for managing the fallout. Nixon expressed his intent to replace Attorney General Richard Kleindienst with Elliot Richardson and to appoint a new, aggressive FBI director to restore order. The President also emphasized that any past FBI surveillance related to national security leaks—specifically concerning the Daniel Ellsberg case—must be staunchly defended as a necessary executive action.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to initiate an urgent telephone connection with Secretary of State William P. Rogers. This brief administrative interaction served as the necessary step to facilitate a direct communication line between the President and his top diplomat. No further substantive discussion occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon consulted Secretary of State William P. Rogers regarding the strategic management of the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the necessary resignations of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. Nixon sought Rogers's advice on how to handle the duo's apparent reluctance to leave, ultimately concluding that their continued presence hindered government operations and that full resignations were unavoidable. Additionally, they discussed the upcoming public announcement regarding the appointment of a new FBI director and the oversight of the ongoing investigation.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Secretary of State William P. Rogers. This call was initiated to establish communication between the President and his top diplomat while Nixon was stationed at Camp David. The interaction served exclusively as a logistical step to coordinate the official consultation.
President Nixon consulted with Secretary of State William P. Rogers regarding the impending resignations of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman amid the deepening Watergate scandal. Rogers advised Nixon against attending the meeting with his aides to maintain distance and credibility, recommending instead that the President present the resignations as a firm, unilateral decision rather than a matter for negotiation. The conversation concluded with an agreement that the two aides should resign voluntarily to maintain the 'high ground' while John W. Dean would be dismissed separately, allowing Nixon to distance himself from the scandal's fallout.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with H. R. Haldeman. This brief administrative interaction served as an intermediary step to establish direct communication with his Chief of Staff. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon communicated with the Camp David operator to follow up on a pending call request from H. R. Haldeman. The operator informed the President that Haldeman was currently at church but expected to return shortly. It was decided that the operator would await Haldeman’s return so that he could initiate a return call to the President.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Secretary of State William P. Rogers. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to initiate a high-level discussion between the President and his top diplomat. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this short exchange.
President Nixon requested Secretary of State William P. Rogers to travel to Camp David to review and provide editorial feedback on a draft of his forthcoming address regarding the Watergate scandal. Nixon tasked speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. with preparing the draft and sought Rogers's input, explicitly referencing Rogers's prior assistance during the 1952 Checkers fund crisis. The two agreed that Rogers would arrive at 5:00 p.m. to review the document and offer suggestions to strengthen the President's public response.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone call to White House Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The interaction was limited to this administrative request to connect the two parties. No further substantive policy matters or strategic discussions occurred during this brief communication.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler strategize on the public framing of the resignations of H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. They aim to draft resignation letters that pivot away from a mere leave of absence to account for the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Ervin Committee hearings. By emphasizing the aides' confidence in their eventual exoneration, Nixon seeks to manage the political optics of the departures.
Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefs President Nixon on his efforts to secure the resignations of H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. Ziegler confirms that while Haldeman has agreed to comply with the President's decision, he anticipates greater resistance from Ehrlichman and intends to coordinate the process during an upcoming helicopter ride. The two men also discuss the logistical challenge of ensuring the departing aides have sufficient financial support during their transition.
President Nixon and close confidant Bebe Rebozo discuss the President's intense personal distress following the resignations of top aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman amid the Watergate scandal. The two men reflect on the overwhelming public support Nixon has received, while the President contemplates the emotional toll of the situation and his upcoming televised address. To cope with the crisis, Nixon plans a brief retreat to Florida, arranging for Rebozo to join him after the broadcast to provide personal support.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone request through the Camp David operator to speak with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods. The primary purpose of the communication was to establish contact with his office during his stay at Camp David. No other substantive policy or political matters were discussed during this short administrative interaction.
President Nixon instructed his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate the preparation of a typed version of his upcoming Watergate address. Woods confirmed that she had already forwarded a draft to the President that was difficult to read, prompting Nixon to direct her to send the document to speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. for transcription. This brief exchange highlights the urgent logistical efforts to finalize the text for the President's public statement regarding the unfolding scandal.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone request through the Camp David operator to be connected with White House Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The call served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with his press office. No further substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate the public announcement of the resignations of H. R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, John Dean, and Richard Kleindienst amid the escalating Watergate scandal. They discuss the importance of maintaining a calm, confident tone for the President’s upcoming televised address and finalize logistical details, including the appointment of Elliot Richardson and the status of Leonard Garment as interim counsel. Additionally, Nixon expresses his need to step away from the White House for a brief period to recover, despite concerns regarding how the press might perceive such an absence.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone call. The brief exchange was limited to Nixon requesting to be connected with Stephen B. Bull. No further substantive policy or administrative matters were discussed during this request.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the presidential schedule for the remainder of the week to facilitate a potential trip to Florida. They discussed consolidating various congressional and policy meetings, including the Labor Management Advisory Board, to clear the President's calendar by Thursday noon. Nixon requested the inclusion of a short Cabinet meeting and a session with the White House staff before his departure.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an official communication. He requested a telephone connection with his speechwriter, Raymond K. Price, Jr. No other substantive matters were discussed during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and speechwriter Raymond Price discuss the drafting of a presidential address intended to respond to the Watergate scandal. Nixon emphasizes his desire for a conversational, sincere tone that accepts executive responsibility for his subordinates' actions while simultaneously asserting his determination to root out the truth. The two men also evaluate the appointment of Elliot Richardson as a critical move to restore public trust, agreeing that his reputation for integrity will effectively oversee the necessary investigations.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to place a telephone call to Secretary of State William P. Rogers. Upon learning that Rogers was currently testifying before a Senate committee, the President instructed the operator not to interrupt him. No further substantive business was conducted during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with his aide, Stephen B. Bull. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to bridge the President to his staff during his retreat. No substantive policy matters were discussed beyond the coordination of this internal request.
President Nixon contacted Stephen B. Bull to monitor the progress of Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler’s current press briefing. Upon being informed that the briefing was underway, the President instructed Bull to have Ziegler call him immediately after the event concluded. This brief interaction served to maintain direct communication with his communications team during a period of intense public scrutiny.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to summon speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. to the study table. This brief directive served to coordinate a meeting between the President and Price at the presidential retreat. The primary action item was the immediate logistics of bringing Price to the President's location for consultation.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an outgoing call to Senator Barry Goldwater. This administrative communication served to establish a line of contact between the President and the Senator during a period of intense political pressure. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief request.
President Nixon consulted with a Camp David operator to facilitate urgent communications with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler and personal secretary Rose Mary Woods. The primary objective was to coordinate a response to a telegram sent by Senator Barry Goldwater, who was currently traveling to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Nixon directed the operator to ensure Goldwater’s staff was informed that he had personally returned the Senator’s call.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the political fallout of the Watergate scandal and the emerging legislative reaction on Capitol Hill. Ziegler reports on positive outreach efforts with Senator James O. Eastland and confirms there have been no new developments regarding John W. Dean III, whom the President dismissively labels as a concern only until his future intentions are clear. The exchange concludes with Nixon requesting verification of the date of his most recent press conference.
President Nixon contacted his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to request a specific verification regarding his schedule. He tasked her with researching and confirming the exact date of his previous meeting with Thomas A. Pappas. Woods agreed to locate the information and report back to him via telephone.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler held a brief telephone conversation to verify the specific date of the President’s previous press conference. Ziegler confirmed for the President that the event took place on March 15th. This exchange appears to be a routine administrative check to ensure the accuracy of the administration's public records.
Rose Mary Woods provides President Nixon with the specific date of a prior meeting he held with Thomas A. Pappas. This brief exchange serves to clarify the President's past scheduling details. No further actions or significant policy discussions occur during the call.
President Nixon requested that the Camp David operator summon speechwriter and aide Raymond K. Price, Jr. to the study. This brief administrative contact facilitated an immediate meeting between the two men. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David switchboard operator to facilitate a telephone connection with Stephen B. Bull. The brief communication served exclusively as a logistical request to initiate a call with a White House staffer. No substantive policy matters or historical developments were addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon contacted Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his personal schedule at Camp David. He instructed Bull to arrange a 15-minute haircut with the barber for 7:00 pm. This brief exchange served solely to manage the President's immediate administrative and grooming requirements.