Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 281-064
Date: Thursday, October 21, 1971 at 6:45 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President)
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/281-064

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[4:54:39] I have noted the great distress of growing tendency to criticize the Supreme Court as an institution.
[4:54:45] Let all Americans recognize that every individual has a right to disagree with the decisions of the Court.
[4:54:51] After all, the things are handed down by the Court.
[4:54:54] It is our obligation to obey the law, whether we like it or not.
[4:54:59] And it is our duty as citizens to respect the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States.
[4:55:05] We've had many historic and even sometimes violent debates throughout our history about the role of the Supreme Court.
[4:55:11] Let us never forget that respect for the court, as the final interpreter of the law, is indispensable to the survival of freedom in America.
[4:55:23] except for the contribution he may be able to make to cause a world peace, there is probably no more important legacy that a president leaves in these times than his appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States.
[4:55:35] I believe that Chief Justice Berger and Chief Justice Blackmun, by their conduct and their decisions, have earned the respect not only of those who supported them at the time I nominated them, but of those who opposed them.
[4:55:48] It is my firm conviction that Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist will earn the same respect, and that as guardians of our Constitution, they will dedicate their lives to the great goal of building respect for law, order, and justice throughout the land.
[4:56:25] Lips, please.
[4:56:28] Yeah.
[4:56:47] How many words?
[4:56:51] All right.
[4:56:52] Call me back.