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Conversation 230-004

TapeTape 230StartTuesday, November 21, 1972 at 7:58 PMEndWednesday, November 22, 1972 at 10:52 AMParticipantsNixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan);  United States Secret Service agents;  Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan);  United States Secret Service agentsRecording deviceCamp David Hard Wire
AI Summary

First Lady Pat Nixon met with a Secret Service agent at Camp David to discuss concerns regarding the visibility and intrusiveness of security protocols during her public appearances and daily life. Mrs. Nixon expressed frustration over press reports that mischaracterized her security requirements and requested that protective measures be kept as discreet as possible to minimize disruptions. The agent explained the necessity of maintaining certain precautions for the safety of the First Family, while acknowledging Mrs. Nixon’s desire for greater privacy.

Pat NixonSecret ServiceCamp DavidPresidential securityPress relationsPrivacy
AudioNARA Description

Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon and United States Secret Service agents met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 7:58 pm on November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am on November 22, 1972. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 230-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 230-4

Date: November 21 or 22, 1972
Time: Unknown between 7:58 pm., November 21, 1972 and 10:52 am, November 22, 1972
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon met with an unknown Secret Service agent

      Public appearances
            -Security arrangements
                  -Necessity
            -Mrs. Nixon's conversation with the President
                  -Press relations
                        -References to security
                                            -4-

                  NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      (rev. Mar.-08)

                                                             Conversation No. 230-4 (cont’d)

                        -References to accommodations
                              -Number of rooms
                  -Necessity
                        -Mrs. Nixon’s conversation with the President
                        -Announcements
                        -Camp David
                              -The President’s security [Executive Protective Service]
                              -Mrs. Nixon’s activities
                                     -Walking
                              -The President’s schedule
                              -Mrs. Nixon’s, [Julie Nixon Eisenhower’s, Tricia Nixon Cox’s ]
                               schedule
                                     -Possible return to Washington, D.C.
                              -Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Tricia Nixon Cox]
                              -Transportation
                                     -Automobile
                              -Unknown agent’s recommendations
                              -Presence of agents
                                     -Visibility
                              -Transportation
                                     -Mrs. Nixon’s activities
                                           -Driving
                                                 -Van
                              -First Family
                                     -Restrictions
                                           -Presence of agents
                              -Camp David
                                     -Mrs. Nixon’s residence
                                           -Roof work
                                                 -Noise
                  -Secret Service
                        -Quality of work
                              -Pay
                  -Privacy
                  -Unknown agent
                        -Location

Mrs. Nixon and the unknown agent left.
                                            -5-

                  NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     (rev. Mar.-08)
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.

Oh, well, you know, uh, I mentioned to Dick about, uh, you know, about security, and he said he didn't, he didn't know if it was announced.
You know, like, if I'm going to a public thing, that's announced.
And, uh, you know, somebody sent me a, almost every story is written in black, like, because they all always talk about big security, and,
You know, it's quite a nice story overall, but then it isn't talking about the great security and that when it was told I was coming that I had asked for 65 rooms at that end.
Well, of course, we had all that pressure, but they don't ever point that out.
And it sounded like it was all here.
Oh, I missed about that, but anyway.
And he said, you know, I go to Art, and the guy changed times, and I never go.
They never tell anyone anyway.
And I was like, I need support.
What do you think?
I think, of course, when it is announced, you know, that you need more.
And I think he was off the record.
I don't know.
I don't know.
So here's the only problem that we have with that is that a certain number are, you know, for the president.
Yeah, well, they're not.
But I don't need any.
I'm not going to do anything.
I'm going to go along and walk.
Well, that, you know, of course, we don't want to leave.
Yeah.
But if the president had to, you know, for some reason, had to leave unexpectedly, you know, we'll go with him.
So if you, for some reason, had to get back to Washington, you know, we'll go with him for some reason.
And then also see when the girls come.
You know, we just want to get...
I understand.
I really do.
And I want to do whatever I can.
Yeah, well, I don't need anything.
You know, I don't have any of that.
I don't have any of that.
I don't have a car and everything.
Of course, we have our own seats.
Of course, they can be daddy, but...
Okay, so...
Well, I know that I do, as I've told you before, and I understand what you're feeling about it.
The answer is, you know, I can give you my recommendations.
Well, let's just keep it as low as we possibly can.
I hope you think that I try to do it.
Oh, I know that.
I do.
But I do feel that there's just too many people who try to do it.
And, you know, for example, when I come here, you're being there, or someone's being there, and I just want to try it.
way to do it you know for us to do what we have to do so that was the one man otherwise but you know i think that is the easiest thing you know all of your time and you're trying everything but i just don't need so much and you know there's no other way out we're so boxed in anyway you know
And you know, we never get wet.
It's just stressful.
You know, we have to have somebody.
You know, we see that.
I have to be safe.
I have to be safe.
I have to be safe.
I have to be safe.
I have to be safe.
And the house painted and all that.
I think you're all just great people.
You wouldn't be in this service otherwise.
I mean, if you take your kids into country, you don't get paid that much.
But just think whole of them and me.
I just don't want them.
Thank you for your time.
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