Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 261 › Conversation 261-018

Nixon & Colson on Project oversight and Executive authority

Thursday, June 17, 1971 · 6:55 PM–6:56 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 28 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Colson, Charles W.Conversation261-018 on Tape 261 (tape position 00:47:00–00:47:21)StartThursday, June 17, 1971 at 6:55 PMEndThursday, June 17, 1971 at 6:56 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 261-018 ↗

AI Summary

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.

Audio

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This clip was extracted from the full tape recording by Easy Nixon.

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Position in tape: 00:47:00 – 00:47:21

261a.mp3
261b.mp3
261c.mp3
261d.mp3

Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Well, I'd want a straight ultimatum, let me be honest with you.
I'd like an ultimatum that says, how is the project here going to happen?
Fair.
And again, you know, the time, I already pressed the button.

NARA Description

On June 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 6:55 pm to 6:56 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 261-018 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 261-18

Date: June 17, 1971
Time: 6:55 pm - 6:56 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Charles W. Colson

[See Conversation No. 5-115]

Also recorded on June 17, 1971

  • 261-016 6:17 PM · 23 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 6:17 pm to 6:46 pm.
  • 005-113 6:38 PM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 6:38 pm to 6:45 pm.
  • 005-114 6:45 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:45 pm and 6:55 pm.
  • 261-017 6:46 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:46 pm and 6:55 pm.
  • 005-115 6:55 PM · 44 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 6:55 pm to 6:56 pm.
  • 258-031 6:55 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:55 pm and 9:29 pm.
  • 005-116 6:56 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:56 pm and 7:39 pm.
  • 261-019 6:56 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 6:56 pm and 7:39 pm.

All 75 conversations from June 17, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 261-018, June 17, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/261-018 (accessed October 5, 2026).