In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of Governor George C. Wallace, President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Charles Colson utilized White House telephone lines to coordinate an information pipeline with Secret Service Director James J. Rowley. The discussion focuses on gathering immediate intelligence regarding the assailant, Arthur H. Bremer, and ensuring the White House receives critical details—such as the purchase of the weapon and the suspect's background—ahead of media reports. Parallel to these operational efforts, the participants also discussed the political impact of the administration's recent Vietnam policies and the President's upcoming summit in Moscow.
On May 15, 1972, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, White House operator, President Richard M. Nixon, Charles W. Colson, and James J. Rowley talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:45 pm and 7:07 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-095 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 24-95 Date: May 15, 1972 Time: Unknown between 6:45 pm and 7:07 pm Location: White House Telephone H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman talked with the White House operator. [See also Conversation No. 339-3C] Request for a call to Alexander P. Butterfield Haldeman conferred with the President and Charles W. Colson at an unknown time. [See Conversation No. 339-3] [End of conferral] The White House operator talked with Haldeman at an unknown time. Butterfield's location Request for a call to James J. Rowley The President conferred with Colson at an unknown time. [See Conversation No. 339-3] [End of conferral] The White House operator talked with Haldeman at an unknown time. Rowley's location The President conferred with Colson at an unknown time. [See Conversation No. 339-3] The White House operator talked with Haldeman at an unknown time. Placing call Haldeman conferred with the President and Colson at an unknown time. [See Conversation No. 339-3] [End of conferral] Haldeman talked with Rowley at an unknown time; the President and Colson can be heard in the background during a portion of the conversation. Butterfield -Location Assassination attempt on George C. Wallace -Assailant -Thomas J. Kelley's report -Purchase of gun -Identity [Arthur H. Bremer] -Police confirmation -Location -Latest information -Custody -Secret Service presence -Report to the President -Haldeman’s order -John B. Connally's press conference -Time -Assailant -Identity -Press reports -Report to the President and Haldeman
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