Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 436
Nixon White House Tape 436 (May 14, 1973 – May 15, 1973)
18 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 3 hr 39 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haig, Ziegler, Sanchez, Bull
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss personal arrangements. The brief interaction focused on the President's immediate plans and the provision of refreshments. The conversation concluded with Nixon deciding to depart the office shortly thereafter.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the administration's public response to ongoing Watergate-related pressures, specifically addressing critical statements made by William D. Ruckelshaus. They discuss drafting a formal White House statement intended to emphasize the administration's cooperation with the FBI. The two men also strategize on how to frame internal narratives regarding John D. Ehrlichman and the handling of the investigation to minimize political damage.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the administration's strategy for responding to Watergate-related investigations, specifically focusing on FBI records and the potential political exploitation of past wiretaps from the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations. Nixon instructs Haig to pressure FBI Acting Director William Ruckelshaus to investigate the disposition of previous administrations' records to deflect scrutiny from the White House. The two also address the legal challenges posed by Judge John Sirica's access to John Dean's documents and the potential transfer of these materials to the Ervin Committee and the grand jury.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President's upcoming schedule to manage his time commitments and prioritize meetings. They discussed various appointments, including prospective visits with political figures and reports from individuals returning from official trips. Nixon explicitly directed that certain visitors, such as Peter G. Peterson, must undergo extensive vetting and reporting to other administration officials like John B. Connally and Henry Kissinger before being granted an audience with him.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Alexander Haig to formulate a public relations strategy to counter the ongoing Watergate scandal. The discussion focused on shifting public attention toward the previous Democratic administrations by highlighting missing FBI wiretap records from the Kennedy and Johnson eras. Nixon emphasized the importance of aggressive tactics, including the declassification of sensitive documents and the promotion of a narrative that the White House had fully cooperated with investigations into national security leaks.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss personal refreshments. During the brief interaction, the President requested that Sanchez bring him an additional bottle of tea. The conversation concluded with Sanchez acknowledging the request and specifying the type of beverage to be provided.
President Nixon held a brief, undocumented meeting with an unidentified individual in the Old Executive Office Building. The exchange appears to center on the physical receipt or delivery of a specific document or item mentioned by the visitor. Due to the lack of clear transcript data, the broader administrative or political purpose of this interaction remains obscured.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss adjustments to the President's daily schedule. The brief interaction centered on the timing of specific commitments, with the President specifically inquiring about an appointment set for three o'clock. The exchange concluded with the logistical coordination of his afternoon agenda.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss managing the ongoing Watergate crisis, focusing on the legal strategy surrounding pending grand jury testimony and the handling of sensitive White House documents. They reviewed the status of former officials and aides—including John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman—while coordinating how to address potential leaks and FBI files related to national security wiretaps. The conversation emphasized maintaining a strong defense, asserting executive privilege over specific records, and preparing for the impact of forthcoming indictments on the administration's political standing.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication with the White House operator to facilitate an external connection. The exchange served primarily as a logistical step to reach another party. No substantive policy discussions or significant political developments occurred during this short administrative interaction.
President Nixon consulted with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to reschedule a pending afternoon meeting. Nixon requested that his appointment be moved from 4:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. to allow him more time to complete ongoing tasks. Bull confirmed the new time, and the meeting concluded with the adjustment of the President's daily schedule.
President Nixon initiates a brief, informal interaction with a White House operator. The exchange serves primarily as a logistical request to facilitate an outgoing call. No substantive policy matters or significant historical decisions are addressed during this brief connection.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly discussed the progress of a court proceeding involving a judge reviewing documentation. The conversation reflects the administration's defensive posture regarding legal challenges and the need to maintain a composed public stance. No specific directives were issued, but the exchange underscores the mounting pressure from ongoing investigations during this period.
President Nixon and Lawrence Higby discussed the ongoing Watergate crisis, specifically focusing on rebutting false allegations regarding the President's personal finances and the San Clemente property. They evaluated the hostile actions of John W. Dean III, analyzed the legal implications of grand jury testimony for former aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, and brainstormed public relations strategies to defend the presidency. The conversation emphasized a commitment to fighting these accusations through a more proactive and organized White House communications approach.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler, Leonard Garment, and Lawrence Higby to strategize the White House response to recent press allegations regarding the funding of the President's San Clemente property. The group discussed mounting a public counter-offensive, including demanding a retraction and formal apology from the Ervin Committee and considering a libel lawsuit against the Associated Press. Nixon emphasized the necessity of fighting these charges vigorously to protect his credibility and shift the focus away from the ongoing Watergate scandal.
President Nixon summoned Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to his office in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief administrative consultation. The discussion focused on coordinating Haig’s immediate availability and personal schedule following the conclusion of his prior meetings. This interaction served to facilitate urgent face-to-face communication between the President and his Chief of Staff.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual in the Executive Office Building to share refreshments. The brief exchange consisted of casual social pleasantries regarding drinks. No substantive policy matters or official business were conducted during this interaction.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig and later Ronald Ziegler to coordinate the administration’s defensive strategy regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically targeting allegations concerning his San Clemente property and the conduct of John Dean. Nixon emphasized the need for a combative public response, directing Ziegler to demand a formal apology and retraction from the Ervin Committee for the circulation of libelous claims. Throughout the discussion, Nixon underscored his desire to maintain executive privilege for his aides while expressing distrust of various administration officials and confirming his use of a White House taping system.