Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 261
Nixon White House Tape 261 (June 15, 1971 – July 2, 1971)
52 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 3 hr 21 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Colson, Haldeman, Butterfield
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the administration's strategic response to the publication of the Pentagon Papers, focusing on mobilizing editorial support to counter the New York Times. Nixon emphasizes the need to frame the unauthorized disclosure of secret documents as a violation of law and suggests leveraging William P. Rogers to spearhead this public messaging campaign. The pair also touches on an upcoming congressional vote and the status of Vietnam peace negotiations regarding the release of prisoners of war.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The discussion served as a logistical bridge to connect the President with another party for official business. No substantive policy matters or decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon initiated a brief exchange with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. No substantive policy matters or political developments were addressed during this short interaction. The conversation serves primarily as a logistical link to connect the President to another party.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies to counter the publication of the Pentagon Papers by the New York Times. Nixon asserts that the newspaper's actions jeopardize national security and represent an attempt to place the press above the law. To combat the "right to know" narrative, Nixon directs Colson to mobilize congressional allies to publicly frame the leaks as a disloyal threat to the integrity of government.
President Nixon requested assistance from the White House operator to place an outgoing telephone call. The interaction functioned as a routine administrative task to facilitate the President's communication needs during his time in the Executive Office Building. No further substantive policy matters or decisions were recorded during this brief logistical exchange.
President Nixon initiates a brief, informal communication with the White House operator to facilitate the completion of a personal errand. The exchange is characterized by its brevity and personal tone, concluding with a mutual expression of affection. No policy decisions or substantive political matters were addressed during this interaction.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with a White House operator in his office at the Old Executive Office Building. The engagement served as a routine communication task, though the absence of a transcript prevents specific identification of the subjects addressed. This meeting functioned as a standard coordination effort between the President and the White House telecommunications staff.
President Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss strategies to manipulate public perception regarding a security breach, specifically emphasizing the need to manufacture a narrative that links the incident to a church. The participants focus on orchestrating a leak or public disclosure to discredit their opponents rather than merely pursuing a standard legal or technical investigation. Nixon commends Mitchell’s tactical approach, signaling approval for these deceptive information operations.
President Nixon held a brief, informal exchange with a White House operator. The conversation consisted of routine pleasantries and light social dialogue. No official policy decisions or substantive matters of state were addressed during this interaction.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers held a brief consultation regarding the administration's ongoing diplomatic strategy in Vietnam. The discussion touched upon the dissemination of information and the President's upcoming public presentation concerning the conflict. Nixon expressed a desire to personally reflect on these developments while acknowledging the complexities involved in managing current foreign policy perceptions.
President Nixon directs Alexander P. Butterfield to contact Senator John Sherman Cooper regarding a social invitation for a woman named Katie. The President explicitly instructs Butterfield to ensure Cooper knows that the President was aware of the situation and that Katie is included in the invitation. This brief interaction serves as a routine coordination of White House social communications.
President Nixon consulted with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, and his secretary, Rose Mary Woods, regarding historical data or record-keeping. The brief interaction focused on retrieving specific statistics from the previous year. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative inquiry.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The brief exchange focused exclusively on establishing a connection with a desired party. No further substantive policy matters or executive decisions were addressed during this interaction.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies to discredit the New York Times for publishing the Pentagon Papers, framing the newspaper's actions as the criminal act of knowingly publishing stolen government documents. Nixon directs Colson to aggressively disseminate this narrative to members of Congress, the press, and the public to shift focus away from the war and onto the legal and security implications of the leaks. Furthermore, Nixon emphasizes the need to frame the documents as a reflection of Kennedy and Johnson-era mismanagement rather than a current administration cover-up.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss the communication of a specific public message or policy position. While the brief transcript segment suggests a focus on the necessity of conveying a clear, firm directive, the majority of the recording remains obscured by a personal withdrawal. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this abbreviated exchange.
President Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, Ronald Ziegler, and Charles Colson met to discuss press management, presidential scheduling, and the unfolding controversy surrounding the Pentagon Papers. A central focus was Nixon's insistence that former President Lyndon B. Johnson must publicly defend his administration's role in the Vietnam War, with Nixon stating he could no longer carry the political burden of defending Johnson if Johnson remained silent. Furthermore, Nixon directed his staff to exclude *The New York Times* from press access and briefings, citing his deep frustration with the publication.
President Richard Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. Due to the withdrawal of the substantive portion of the recording as personal information, no specific policy or administrative matters were documented. The meeting concluded shortly thereafter with Sanchez exiting the office.
President Nixon and Charles Colson briefly discussed the implementation of an undisclosed project, with the President emphasizing the need for a direct ultimatum to ensure progress. Nixon confirmed that he had already initiated the necessary actions and demanded clarity regarding the project's execution. Colson acknowledged the President's instructions, signaling his understanding of the urgent directive.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, at the Old Executive Office Building. Given the absence of a transcript and the brief duration of the recorded segment, the discussion remains undocumented and restricted. No substantive policy decisions or historical actions were captured during this exchange.
President Richard M. Nixon met with his Deputy Assistant Alexander P. Butterfield in the Old Executive Office Building to review administrative details. The primary focus of the discussion concerned the scheduling arrangements for an individual identified only as John. This brief consultation reflects the routine operational management of the President's calendar handled by his staff.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief, informal interaction. The exchange consisted of routine directives regarding movement and space within the office environment. No substantive policy matters or major historical developments were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Richard Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. The conversation, which was limited to a very brief exchange, was classified as a personal returnable item. No substantive policy matters or official administrative decisions were recorded.
President Richard M. Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief, informal encounter. The session consisted of a short, four-second exchange that was subsequently withdrawn from public release for being of a personal nature. No significant policy discussions or administrative decisions were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to handle a brief, routine matter. The short interaction primarily facilitated an administrative request for the President to speak with Charles Colson. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing telephone communication. This brief interaction served administrative and logistical purposes to connect the President with another party. No policy discussions or significant substantive developments occurred during this short exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss their strategy for handling the controversy surrounding the Daniel Ellsberg case and the publication of the Pentagon Papers. Nixon emphasizes the need to aggressively challenge internal government leakers, framing them as disloyal intellectuals who undermine the country's interests. The President instructs Colson to actively pursue evidence linking these individuals to subversive communist groups to discredit their motivations and control the political narrative.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. The brief interaction consisted of personal, non-substantive matters that were subsequently withdrawn from the public record. No policy discussions, official decisions, or significant administrative actions were recorded during this encounter.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate a telephonic communication. This interaction served an administrative purpose to connect the President with another party for official business. No specific substantive policy matters or further details were recorded during this brief connectivity exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discuss administrative logistics regarding the distribution of White House souvenirs, specifically paperweights and lighters, to staff or guests. The brief exchange focuses on the failure to properly deliver these items to the intended recipients during the morning schedule. Butterfield is tasked with ensuring these materials are promptly forwarded.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate a telephone connection. The brief interaction focused on reaching another party, as the President utilized the operator to initiate an outgoing call. No substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were documented during this short communication link-up.
President Nixon met briefly with Soviet Ambassador Anatoliy Dobrynin to acknowledge and express appreciation for a thoughtful message sent by the ambassador. The exchange served primarily as a diplomatic courtesy, confirming the receipt of the wire and emphasizing the positive personal sentiments shared by Dobrynin and his family. No substantive policy negotiations or strategic directives were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon held a brief administrative meeting with an unidentified individual to coordinate the timing of upcoming appointments. The discussion focused primarily on managing the President’s location and daily schedule within the Executive Office Building. No substantive policy matters were addressed, as the conversation served as a logistical arrangement for the President's subsequent meetings.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming luncheon honoring Consuelo Velasco Alvarado. They discussed the specific sequence of remarks, including the decision to have the ambassador respond rather than the guest of honor. Additionally, Nixon provided explicit instructions regarding the seating protocol for the luncheon to ensure the ambassador was appropriately placed next to First Lady Pat Nixon.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the status of a speech draft originally prepared by William Safire, with Nixon ultimately deciding to rely on a later version for his remarks. The President expresses a preference for a more improvisational speaking style, noting his intention to "wing" parts of the presentation rather than adhering strictly to a prepared script. Additionally, the pair coordinates the President’s schedule, confirming an upcoming meeting with Henry Kissinger.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger, H. R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and others to discuss sensitive foreign policy matters, specifically the Vietnam War negotiations and the status of U.S.-China relations. The participants evaluated propaganda efforts regarding the peace process and reviewed internal concerns about potential leaks and the handling of classified materials, including the Daniel Ellsberg case. Additionally, the President provided directives to staff regarding administrative scheduling and his desire to minimize unauthorized communication between the White House and the press.
President Nixon held a brief meeting in the Old Executive Office Building with an unidentified individual to discuss gold pins. The discussion centered on these specific items, though no further details or policy decisions are documented due to the lack of a transcript. The meeting concluded when the participant departed prior to 5:09 pm.
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to coordinate the administration's public messaging regarding the ongoing Paris Peace Talks, the Pentagon Papers, and the Mansfield Amendment. The discussion focused on managing press speculation and determining the appropriate government posture toward media inquiries and potential information suppression. Nixon expressed a desire to keep official statements brief and dismissive of the controversy surrounding the leaked documents.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. Given the absence of a transcript and the very brief duration of the recorded segment, no substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were documented. The encounter appears to have been limited to personal business or private staff interactions.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. The brief interaction consisted primarily of personal matters, as indicated by the withdrawal of the recorded content from the public record. No official policy discussions or administrative actions were documented during this short engagement.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to review and coordinate Kissinger’s upcoming travel schedule and availability. The discussion centered on logistical planning for future diplomatic engagements and ensuring the President’s itinerary remained flexible. No major policy decisions were recorded, as the dialogue focused primarily on administrative preparation.
President Nixon held a brief administrative interaction with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This communication served to connect the President with another party, though the specific individual he sought to reach remains unidentified. The exchange functioned solely as a logistical step in the President's daily workflow.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discussed the administration's public relations strategy regarding the Pentagon Papers and the Supreme Court's pending decision, ultimately agreeing to avoid a formal statement to remain on the offensive. They also reviewed the complexities of Kissinger’s upcoming diplomatic mission to the People's Republic of China, emphasizing the need for absolute secrecy to ensure its success. Furthermore, the participants addressed the ongoing challenge of media leaks and their potential to undermine both domestic policy and sensitive international negotiations.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief administrative interaction. The discussion primarily involved personal matters regarding the President's needs and preferences. The exchange concluded quickly without evidence of significant policy developments or strategic decision-making.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing telephonic communication. The interaction focused on the logistics of connecting the President to a specific party, serving as a brief administrative precursor to a subsequent call. No policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies for managing public perception regarding the Vietnam War, focusing specifically on the significantly reduced U.S. casualty figures. The President emphasizes the importance of publicizing these statistics and encourages Colson to pressure former President Lyndon B. Johnson to publicly support the administration's position on Vietnam. Nixon argues that Johnson has a historical stake in the conflict and urges him to request prime-time television access to present a convincing case to the American public.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The brief exchange focused on establishing a connection with a third party. No significant policy decisions or substantive developments occurred during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman briefly conferred regarding political dynamics in Texas and the progress of U.S. troop withdrawals from the Vietnam War. The discussion touched upon the status of specific individuals identified as Johnson and White, with the President seeking a follow-up report on their situations. Nixon also arranged for a briefing with his staff to prepare for an upcoming meeting.
President Richard Nixon met with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. The conversation, which lasted less than fifteen minutes, primarily involved personal matters that were subsequently withdrawn from the public record. No significant policy decisions or administrative actions were documented during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate the administration's response to the Pentagon Papers leak and to discuss various domestic and foreign policy matters. They deliberated on whether the President should make a formal public statement, ultimately favoring a strategy of caution, non-interference, and reliance on surrogates to avoid appearing overly invested in the controversy. Additionally, they reviewed poll data indicating rising public approval, discussed the security of sensitive government documents, and finalized plans for a polygraph examination for a staffer involved in leaking classified cables.
President Nixon and his valet, Manolo Sanchez, discuss the strategic implications of issuing a formal statement during an upcoming visit to Kansas City. The conversation focuses on the difficulty of crafting a public position when advisors cannot agree on a specific message or policy direction. Additionally, they briefly touch upon the management of public demonstrations and the potential for controlling civil unrest during public events.
President Richard M. Nixon met with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief discussion. The recorded portion of the interaction consists entirely of a withdrawn personal segment, preventing analysis of specific policy discussions or administrative action items. Consequently, the meeting appears to have been limited to private, non-substantive matters between the President and his staffer.
President Nixon and John K. Andrews, Jr. reviewed a draft of a forthcoming presidential speech, focusing on refining its thematic content and tone. The discussion involved editing specific phrasing, removing confusing references to a constitutional amendment, and evaluating the inclusion of a high school valedictory address anecdote. Nixon ultimately instructed Andrews to shorten sections of the text and reconsider the use of a literary reference to "John Brown’s Body" to ensure the message remained clear and impactful.