President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird. The brief exchange serves as an administrative bridge to facilitate direct communication between the President and the Secretary. No substantive policy discussions occur, as the conversation focuses exclusively on establishing the connection.
On May 5, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:30 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 002-085 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 2-85
Date: May 5, 1971
Time: Unknown between 10:15 am and 10:27 am
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with the White House operator.
48
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 9/08)
[See Conversation No. 491-17]
Call to Melvin R. LairdThis 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.