Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 437 › Conversation 437-007

Nixon & Ziegler on CIA and FBI

Wednesday, May 16, 1973 · 2:44 PM–2:46 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.Conversation437-007 on Tape 437StartWednesday, May 16, 1973 at 2:44 PMEndWednesday, May 16, 1973 at 2:46 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 437-007 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed internal investigations into agency involvement, specifically focusing on the CIA's potential role and the necessity for a thorough, broad-based inquiry. Nixon directed Ziegler to gather specific data regarding FBI reports and the timeline of staff involvement in Los Angeles to clarify administrative oversight. This exchange reflects the White House's attempt to manage and compartmentalize information surrounding ongoing investigations.

Audio

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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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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So, Ron, I was going to say that regardless of any question, if it does come up, I don't know what it is, but if it does come up, John, we have to make sure we don't have any issues with the maintenance, whether or not the president or whatever director is involved.
Yes, the director will investigate.
Of all agencies, it might have been involved.
Don't you agree?
Because that's their line of sight.
They were trying to find out whether the CIA was involved.
Any other developments you'd like to talk to us about?
Yeah, this is L.A.
I think you can find out how many, just to break it down, before and so forth, how many FBI reports did they receive, or how many, how many staff did they send in before that time?
We have some that date, but we've already
I hear you.

NARA Description

On May 16, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:44 pm to 2:46 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 437-007 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 437-7

Date: May 16, 1973
Time: 2:44 pm -2:46 pm
Location: Old Executive Office Building

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See Conversation No. 46-79]

Also recorded on May 16, 1973

  • 046-079 2:44 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 2:44 pm to 2:46 pm.
  • 046-080 2:46 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:46 pm and 2:51 pm.
  • 437-008 2:46 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 2:46 pm and 2:51 pm.
  • 046-081 2:51 PM · 35 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. talked on the telephone from 2:51 pm to 2:52 pm.
  • 437-009 2:51 PM · 35 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:51 pm to 2:52 pm.
  • 046-082 2:52 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:52 pm and 2:58 pm.
  • 046-083 2:57 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. talked on the telephone from 2:57 pm to 2:58 pm.
  • 919-032 3:02 PM · 1 hr 31 min — President Richard M. Nixon, J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:02 pm to 4:08 pm.

All 73 conversations from May 16, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 437-007, May 16, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/437-007 (accessed October 1, 2026).