Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 438
Nixon White House Tape 438 (May 17, 1973 – May 22, 1973)
38 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 3 hr 50 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haig, Bull, Ziegler, Woods
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to attend to personal and administrative matters. The brief discussion focused on the President’s daily schedule and the status of items being returned to the upstairs residence. The exchange concluded with logistical coordination regarding household maintenance, specifically involving flooring.
President Nixon instructed Marjorie Acker to compile a representative sample of incoming mail regarding the Watergate scandal to circulate among his senior staff. The President directed that this material be forwarded to Alexander Haig under the guise of Acker's own initiative to boost staff morale and provide context on public sentiment. By sharing these communications, Nixon aimed to ensure his senior advisors remained informed of the prevailing political climate while distancing himself from the distribution process.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate a telephone connection. The brief interaction focused exclusively on the administrative mechanics of placing a specific call. No substantive policy matters or political developments were addressed during this short operational exchange.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the necessity of contacting Howard Smith to convey the President's personal gratitude. The brief exchange focuses on coordinating this outreach, with Nixon emphasizing his appreciation for Smith's past actions. Ziegler is tasked with facilitating this communication to ensure the sentiment is properly relayed.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served administrative purposes to connect the President with another party for undisclosed business. No substantial policy or political discussions were recorded during this connection request.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the urgent need to verify if specific past news reports were covered by New York media outlets. Expressing frustration over the current pace of research, Nixon mandates an immediate staff check to confirm these details. The brief exchange highlights the administration's defensive efforts to manage historical records and media narratives amid mounting political pressure.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss concerns regarding an unsolicited letter sent to Haig by an unidentified doctor in New York, specifically questioning the potential motivations and implications of such correspondence. The President expresses deep suspicion toward John W. Dean III, suggesting that Dean may be capable of manipulative or damaging behavior. Nixon emphasizes the need for absolute discretion and precision in how the administration handles these external communications to mitigate further political risk.
President Nixon directs his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to instruct Secret Service agent Jack Brennan to conduct an immediate, high-priority investigation into threats against the President. Nixon demands a 24-hour turnaround on a comprehensive report detailing historical threats, including prank correspondence and specific incidents dating back to the start of his administration. The objective of this directive is to gather concrete statistical data regarding security risks to bolster the President’s protective posture.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss logistics regarding his upcoming schedule and personal engagements. The conversation focused on planning travel or leisure activities, including potential plans involving his close friend Bebe Rebozo. The interaction centers on routine administrative arrangements rather than substantive policy matters.
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. The brief interaction was limited to the provision of refreshments. No substantive political or policy discussions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to place an outgoing telephone call. The interaction primarily served the administrative purpose of facilitating communication through the White House switchboard. No substantive policy matters or political developments were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly discussed the status of ongoing investigative inquiries regarding specific individuals, including someone referred to as Frank. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining discretion and instructed Ziegler to ensure that these individuals remain detached from further communication. The exchange highlights the administration's heightened sensitivity to leaks and unauthorized contacts during the escalating Watergate crisis.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the strategic public release of information regarding Senator Thomas Eagleton’s medical history at the Barnes Hospital and the Mayo Clinic. Nixon directs Haig to ensure Henry Petersen pursues the investigation immediately to shape public perception. The two also touch upon the career status and potential culpability of Richard Helms, with Nixon expressing a desire to support him while distancing him from wrongdoing.
President Nixon initiated a brief interaction with the White House operator to place an outgoing telephone call. He requested to be connected to an individual identified as Mr. Rensselaer. The exchange served strictly as a logistical coordination to facilitate official communication.
President Nixon met with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. and Ronald L. Ziegler to develop a public relations strategy for countering the mounting pressure of the Watergate investigation. The President focused on shifting the narrative by emphasizing past threats against his family and administration, drawing parallels between current political opposition and historical radical movements. Nixon instructed his aides to compile data on violent demonstrations and security leaks to build a 'White Paper' or potential speech that would frame his actions as necessary for national security and the protection of society.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming schedule and handle logistics for several pending engagements. The discussion focused on arrangements for meetings with Henry Kissinger and Charles Rebozo, as well as the President’s participation in activities involving the White House Fellows. Nixon finalized the planning for a reception for the Fellows and confirmed his attendance at the associated events.
President Nixon held a brief, routine interaction with a White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. This administrative exchange served as a logistical step in managing the President's ongoing communications. No substantive policy discussions or significant political developments occurred during this brief contact.
President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon held a brief meeting in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss personal plans for the evening. The conversation concluded with the President approving the First Lady's proposal to go out for the night. The exchange was strictly informal and did not involve any matters of state or policy.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy discussions or administrative decisions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig briefly confer to coordinate a forthcoming speech and review a report. The discussion focuses on the administration's messaging strategy, with Nixon seeking Haig's input on the substance of his planned public remarks. The exchange serves as a preliminary touchpoint to prepare for the President's immediate agenda.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to coordinate the logistics surrounding the arrival of his close confidant, Charles G. “Bebe” Rebozo. The brief discussion focused on managing the President's schedule to accommodate Rebozo’s visit. No further policy or strategic developments were addressed during this transitionary exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss defensive strategies regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation, including managing leaks and potential legal exposure. The President focused on reframing the Watergate scandal within the context of national security and foreign policy achievements to counter domestic critics. Additionally, they reviewed personnel concerns, including the status of FBI leadership and the potential implications of the grand jury investigation involving Vice President Spiro Agnew.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President's upcoming schedule, focusing on key legislative and political engagements including meetings with Republican leadership and discussions regarding the Alaska pipeline and agricultural legislation. The conversation addressed the coordination of appointments involving figures such as Alexander Haig, Elliot Richardson, and various congressional members. Nixon provided specific directives regarding his preferences for these meetings, emphasizing the management of his time and personnel interactions.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate the logistics and scheduling of various upcoming official events and meetings. The discussion encompassed planning for a trip to California, a meeting with Republican leadership, and preparations for Memorial Day observances, including potential surrogate participation. They also addressed the scheduling of meetings with congressional leadership and the President’s anticipated travel to Iceland.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss the administration's strategic response to the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the composition and release of a forthcoming White Paper intended to address public and congressional concerns. They reviewed the status of internal staff morale and the necessity of maintaining stable government operations amidst the political turmoil. Additionally, the pair coordinated an upcoming economic meeting with key advisors to address the need for decisive action regarding national economic policy.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified male visitor in the Old Executive Office Building. The recording consists entirely of a segment designated as refreshment, with no substantive policy or political discussions documented. The encounter concluded without any reported developments or specific action items.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig and J. Fred Buzhardt to strategize the drafting of a White House 'White Paper' intended to manage public and legal fallout from the Watergate investigation. The discussion focused heavily on refining the document's phraseology regarding the President's knowledge of the Huston Plan, the break-in at Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office, and other controversial intelligence activities. Nixon sought to craft a narrative that assumed generalized responsibility for the actions of 'overzealous' staff members to protect the administration while distancing himself from specific authorization of illegal acts.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication through the White House operator to place an outgoing call. The interaction functioned solely as an administrative bridge to facilitate contact with another party. No substantive policy matters or political discussions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss the functional status of the White House taping system. The brief exchange focused on the necessity of verifying that recording equipment was operating correctly. This interaction underscores the administration's active oversight of internal surveillance procedures during the intensifying Watergate scandal.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection. This brief interaction served as a functional administrative request to initiate a follow-up conversation. No substantive policy matters or decisions were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig held a brief meeting to coordinate the review of specific documents related to authorized actions. Nixon requested that Haig prepare and deliver these materials for his personal inspection before they were finalized. The discussion focused on ensuring the President had oversight of documentation before further administrative progress was made.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig, Rose Mary Woods, and Marjorie Acker to draft and edit a White House statement regarding the Watergate scandal and national security activities. The primary focus was refining the language used to describe the President’s role, potential prior knowledge, and the activities of the 'Plumbers' while balancing the necessity of maintaining presidential authority. Additionally, the group discussed strategies for managing public perception, economic policy concerns, and the political implications of upcoming congressional hearings.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served administrative purposes to connect the President with another party for further communication. No substantial policy or political discussions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull meet briefly to discuss scheduling logistics and security concerns regarding an upcoming appearance. Nixon explicitly instructs Bull to cancel a planned flight for the following day. The conversation reflects the President's desire to maintain a controlled schedule and formal decorum in his interactions with the White House and the Supreme Court.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to coordinate the development of a Watergate White Paper, specifically focusing on the drafting of a cover memorandum. They reviewed the collaborative contributions of Raymond K. Price, Jr. and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. regarding the document's structure. The discussion centered on finalizing the strategy for this formal response to ongoing political pressures.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to conduct administrative oversight and address immediate executive workflow requirements. The discussion focused on securing the President’s signature for various remarks and cabinet-related materials, while also coordinating the President’s upcoming lunch schedule with key congressional leadership, including Hugh Scott and Gerald R. Ford. Additionally, the pair reviewed the timing of Henry Kissinger’s reports and processed pending action papers to ensure the efficiency of White House operations.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, to provide specific directives regarding the handling and delivery of sensitive White House papers. The brief interaction focused on the procedural logistics of document management within the Executive Office Building. No further policy or political developments were recorded during this exchange.
Two unidentified women met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss matters pertaining to the White House Communication Office. The meeting was brief, lasting less than twenty-five minutes, and involved logistical or administrative coordination within the office. No further specifics regarding the conversation's content are available due to the unidentified nature of the participants and the lack of a detailed record.