President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the need to maintain a clear firewall between the White House and ongoing Grand Jury proceedings to avoid potential legal contamination. Nixon emphasizes that he explicitly instructed officials not to disclose any Grand Jury findings to him to preserve the integrity of both the official investigation and his own internal review. The discussion underscores the administration's strategic effort to distance the President from sensitive information during the escalating Watergate investigation.
On April 19, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:45 pm to 1:46 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 429-005 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 429-005 Date: April 19, 1973 Time: 1:45 pm - 1:46 pm Location: Executive Office Building The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler. [See Conversation No. 038-111]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.