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Conversation 344-004

TapeTape 344StartTuesday, June 20, 1972 at 4:14 PMEndTuesday, June 20, 1972 at 4:35 PMTape start time00:06:27Tape end time00:08:56ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the administration’s strategy regarding a pending Detroit busing court decision and the controversial use of the pesticide DDT. The President sought to navigate political sensitivities by limiting his public commentary on active legal proceedings while weighing his stance on Environmental Protection Agency policies. Ultimately, the two reached an understanding on how the President should address these sensitive issues to maintain administrative alignment without committing to premature public positions.

School busingDetroitDDTEnvironmental Protection AgencyJudicial policyPublic relations
AudioNARA Description

On June 20, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 4:14 pm and 4:35 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 344-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 344-4

Date: June 20, 1972
Time: Unknown between 4:14 and 4:35 pm
Location: Old Executive Office Building

The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.

     Detroit busing decision
          -Proposal
          -President's comments
          -Busing issue

     Environment
          -Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane [DDT]
          -President's position
                -Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

And now, with regard to that Creighton suit,
You see no objection to my comment on this one.
You see, it's different from a decision where it's different, for example, where it's appealed.
I have not commented upon trial court decisions.
Yeah.
Yeah.
No, no, no, no.
Yeah, I wanted to say I'm not going to comment on it, but of course, we'll do it.
But yeah, and also just a comment on the higher-ranking program.
So we'll do it.
We'll do it.
We'll do it.
We'll do it.
And we'll rely on it.
Second point, I was going to say.
No, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Second, on DDT, if it's a serious question, we'll give it a thought about it.
I agree with it.
It's nice.
It's nice.
Well, should I say that I stand with that one?
That's the point I'm concerned about.
I can simply say that it's a very close one.
I don't know if I'm going to stand with it.
They've handled that out, and it's not going to be appealed in a further amount of time.
I was just going to say that I am ready for certain things.
Stay well, sir.
That's the administration bill.
But not supportable yet.
Ah, I see.
And it allows me... Yeah, it is something very pretty.
I don't know.
Fine, John, thank you.
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