Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 439
Nixon White House Tape 439 (May 21, 1973 – May 23, 1973)
47 conversations · Old Executive Office Building · about 3 hr 55 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Sanchez, Haig, Bull, Ziegler
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met in the Old Executive Office Building to review upcoming scheduling priorities and administrative coordination. The discussion focused on managing the President's calendar and addressing immediate logistical concerns for the White House staff. No major policy shifts were recorded, as the dialogue primarily centered on routine executive branch management and time allocation.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to strategize the drafting of a White House White Paper intended to shape public perception of the Watergate scandal and address mounting allegations. The discussion focused on carefully framing the President's past communications with figures like L. Patrick Gray and Henry Petersen to emphasize that his actions were rooted in protecting national security rather than facilitating a cover-up. Nixon directed Haig to ensure the document explicitly addressed unauthorized activities involving the CIA and the Plumbers, while maintaining that the President had no prior knowledge of specific illegal acts like the break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication with a White House operator to request a connection to an individual identified as Johnny. The exchange served primarily as a functional administrative request to facilitate a subsequent phone call. No substantive policy discussions or major decisions occurred during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the management of information and materials related to ongoing investigations, specifically focusing on what should be disclosed to prosecutors versus what falls under security protections. Nixon expresses concern over the handling of CIA-related information and the legal implications of providing specific directives to the agency. The conversation underscores the administration's efforts to navigate the tension between cooperative transparency and the protection of sensitive executive branch records.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served as a technical step in managing presidential communications. No substantive policy matters or major political decisions were recorded during this connection.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the strategic presentation of specific information to an unnamed individual, emphasizing the need to provide factual support for a desired narrative. The pair discusses the timing and methodology for releasing this material, balancing the preference for a structured timeline versus a continuous flow of communication. Nixon underscores his desire to guide the approach without appearing to rigidly dictate the final execution.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This brief interaction served administrative purposes, allowing the President to connect with another party to discuss official business. No substantive policy or political matters were recorded during this connection request.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator regarding the potential cancellation of a specific case or call. The brief exchange focused on procedural inquiries, though the limited transcript remains inconclusive regarding the underlying legal or administrative matter. No definitive action or resolution is recorded within this specific segment of the conversation.
President Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. briefly coordinated their schedules to transition to a follow-up meeting. This exchange served as a logistical precursor to a more substantive discussion, as evidenced by the President's prompt to proceed to the next location. The conversation was limited to moving the executive agenda forward.
President Nixon consulted with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, regarding the aesthetic upkeep of his Old Executive Office Building workspace. The two discussed the logistics of applying dust covers to the office chairs to maintain the furniture. The brief meeting concluded with Sanchez acknowledging the President's instructions for these protective measures.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to refine the strategic framing and content of an upcoming White House "White Paper" intended to address the burgeoning Watergate scandal. They focused on drafting language that would insulate the President from culpability regarding the break-in, the payment of funds to defendants, and "dirty tricks," while emphasizing national security concerns to justify his actions and administration policies. The discussion centered on balancing public transparency with the assertion of executive privilege to protect presidential papers and staff testimony from congressional investigators.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to facilitate logistical arrangements regarding the President’s daily schedule. During the brief interaction, Nixon provided instructions to contact the secretary of Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to coordinate the delivery of a draft statement concerning the Watergate scandal. The primary objective of the meeting was to ensure that the document was prepared and ready for the President's review by his three o'clock appointment.
President Richard Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss the President's upcoming schedule. The conversation served as a brief administrative coordination regarding Nixon's daily activities. No major policy developments or significant political decisions were recorded during this session.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and an unidentified individual to resolve logistical conflicts regarding his upcoming schedule and travel arrangements. The discussion focused on rectifying a scheduling error involving congressional events and coordinating the President's transit to Camp David via helicopter or automobile due to poor weather conditions. Ultimately, the President decided to proceed with his plans while emphasizing the need for candid communication with his staff regarding the itinerary.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building for a brief, informal interaction involving refreshments. During this exchange, the President abruptly directed Sanchez to remain silent. The meeting concluded shortly thereafter with Sanchez’s departure.
President Nixon held a private meeting in the Old Executive Office Building with an unidentified individual. The transcript for this recording is currently undefined, leaving the specific agenda and any resulting decisions or actions unpreserved for historical analysis. Consequently, the nature of the interaction remains unknown to researchers.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull in the Old Executive Office Building to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the brief discussion was arranging meetings with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and Ronald L. Ziegler. Bull subsequently departed the office after these administrative details were addressed.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Old Executive Office Building to briefly discuss the scheduling of Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The discussion was fragmented and inconclusive, providing little substantive detail regarding administrative operations or strategic decision-making. The meeting concluded quickly without any clear record of action items or formal agreements.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig and Ronald Ziegler to coordinate the White House's public relations and legal strategy regarding the upcoming release of a Watergate "White Paper." The participants discussed the drafting of the document, the importance of controlling the narrative, and how to brief Congressional leaders on its contents to clear the air. A significant portion of the conversation focused on crafting the President’s official account of his knowledge—specifically regarding the Daniel Ellsberg break-in and the roles of H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and John Dean—to ensure the documentation presented him in a favorable light.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified visitor in his Old Executive Office Building office to discuss personal matters, as referenced by the mention of a family connection. The meeting lasted only one minute and served primarily as a brief scheduling interruption. Following the departure of the unknown individual, the President proceeded to meet with Ronald L. Ziegler and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.
President Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. met to meticulously craft the language for a forthcoming White House "White Paper" regarding the Watergate scandal. The discussion focused on defining the President’s timeline of knowledge concerning the Daniel Ellsberg break-in and his interactions with Henry Petersen and other Justice Department officials. By emphasizing the "national security" nature of these events, they sought to clarify the President's position and minimize his direct involvement or culpability in the burgeoning cover-up investigation.
President Nixon, Ronald Ziegler, and Alexander Haig met to refine the language of a forthcoming White House "White Paper" intended to address the ongoing Watergate investigation. The President focused on carefully phrasing his lack of prior knowledge regarding illegal activities or hush-money payments, while simultaneously attempting to frame his actions within the context of protecting national security operations. They discussed the necessity of maintaining a firm public stance against the congressional inquiries, with Nixon emphasizing the importance of "fighting" back to avoid the political and international consequences of appearing weak.
President Nixon initiates a brief administrative communication with a White House operator. The primary purpose of the contact is to facilitate an outgoing call to another party. No substantive policy matters or political developments are recorded in this interaction.
President Nixon informs First Lady Pat Nixon of a change in his schedule, necessitating that he return to the Old Executive Office Building the following day to work on an alternative plan. The First Lady acknowledges the adjustment and confirms she will manage her own affairs accordingly. This brief exchange reflects the President's ongoing logistical adjustments during a period of high political pressure.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The brief exchange served as a logistical step to connect the President with another party. No substantive policy matters or major decisions were recorded during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the management of public perceptions and media narratives regarding ongoing investigations. The President emphasizes the importance of controlling the framing of allegations to avoid political vulnerability. This brief exchange reflects the administration's strategic focus on shaping the press response to minimize further scrutiny.
President Nixon initiates a brief administrative interaction with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The conversation serves primarily as a logistical step to establish communication for a subsequent discussion. No substantive policy matters are addressed in this short exchange.
President Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. held a brief exchange to coordinate an immediate meeting. The conversation served primarily as a logistical check to confirm Buzhardt's location following his scheduled session. The two agreed to convene shortly thereafter to review ongoing materials and case developments.
President Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. met to coordinate the preparation of a White House 'White Paper' intended to manage public and legal fallout from the ongoing Watergate investigation. The discussion focused on refining the document’s narrative regarding the Daniel Ellsberg break-in and defining the limits of executive privilege concerning staff memoranda and sensitive presidential communications. Nixon emphasized the necessity of a proactive, non-defensive public stance, directing Buzhardt to ensure that key internal documents and notes remain protected from congressional committee scrutiny.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig held a brief, late-evening meeting to coordinate scheduling and discuss internal administrative preferences. The participants reviewed potential recommendations or materials, with Nixon expressing skepticism regarding the effectiveness of a specific graph or presentation. The discussion concluded with a decision to reconvene at 9:00 am the following day.
President Nixon held an brief, late-evening meeting with an unidentified associate, potentially Alexander M. Haig, Jr., to discuss matters involving George H. W. Bush. The conversation centered specifically on the associate's recent interactions or communications with Bush. No further details regarding the nature of these contacts or resulting administrative directives are audible in the provided transcript.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to handle minor hospitality arrangements. The brief interaction focused on the President requesting lemonade for Sanchez. No significant policy discussions or administrative decisions occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to discuss administrative scheduling matters. The conversation briefly addressed the professional calendar of an unidentified individual, potentially Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. No major policy decisions were reached during this brief, informal encounter.
President Nixon interacts with a White House operator in a brief administrative exchange. The conversation serves as a functional request to place an outgoing telephone call. No significant policy decisions or substantive political developments are captured in this brief logistical encounter.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull briefly conferred regarding the logistics of an upcoming event and the appointment of an individual to lead the Blair House. Nixon expressed a preference for the specific administrative arrangement being proposed to ensure proper management. The discussion concluded with a consensus to proceed with the planned approach for the evening's proceedings.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to strategize on managing the ongoing Watergate scandal and the increasingly hostile press corps. They discussed refining the administration's public messaging regarding national security, the CIA's potential involvement in the Watergate break-in, and the President's awareness of these events. The conversation focused on preparing for upcoming press briefings and potential presidential appearances to shift the narrative and defend the administration against mounting political pressure.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. While the specific nature of the interaction is obscured by redacted segments related to the removal of materials, the brief exchange concludes with the President instructing an unidentified party to remain disengaged from the matter at hand. This interaction appears to be a private administrative or logistical task involving the President's personal staff.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building. The brief discussion primarily concerned the management of the President's daily schedule. No major policy developments occurred during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule and prepare remarks for a planned trip to Camp David. Nixon expressed concerns regarding his physical fatigue and the necessity of readying his notes for the excursion. They further discussed logistics involving General Brent Scowcroft's participation in the trip and broader administrative matters concerning Congressional relations.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Old Executive Office Building to attend to routine personal matters. The conversation centered on the logistical arrangements for daily refreshments and meal choices for the President. No major policy decisions were made, as the exchange remained focused on private, domestic coordination.
President Nixon initiates a brief request to a White House operator to be connected to the Navigation office regarding a specific room inquiry. The conversation is strictly logistical in nature, serving as a functional administrative request to facilitate communication. No broader policy or political matters are addressed during this exchange.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated logistics for an upcoming meeting with state whips, specifically addressing the duration of the session and transportation arrangements. They discussed managing press exposure during the event and ensured that William E. Timmons would facilitate a timely conclusion to the proceedings. The conversation also touched upon broader congressional relations, including the status of Elliot L. Richardson's confirmation and potential veto strategies.
President Nixon met briefly with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, to discuss logistical arrangements and the President's upcoming schedule. During the exchange, Sanchez informed Nixon that he would be unavailable that evening. The brief meeting concluded after these administrative details were addressed.
President Nixon met with Nellie L. Yates and Manolo Sanchez to discuss the prevailing climate of the administration during the ongoing Watergate scandal. The participants exchanged impressions regarding public reaction, the President’s current mood, and the departure of key aides H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman. Nixon also provided administrative instructions to Yates concerning the delivery of a book to Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to restrict his incoming communications, explicitly stating that he did not want to receive any materials or calls. This brief interaction served as a directive to limit his availability and filter his professional engagement during this period. The exchange reflects the President's desire for seclusion or a shift in his administrative workflow.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler briefly coordinate on an upcoming meeting with Congress regarding a veto and the involvement of Elliot Richardson. They discuss the strategic necessity of managing ongoing political developments amid significant confusion within the administration. The conversation concludes with administrative arrangements regarding Ziegler’s schedule and future marketing work.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig to discuss the ongoing fallout from the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on managing the White House staff's morale, press relations, and the administration's strategic response. They coordinated the upcoming swearing-in ceremony for Attorney General Elliot Richardson and discussed utilizing cabinet members like Henry Kissinger to handle press briefings to shield the President from direct confrontation. Additionally, the President reviewed his schedule, including planned meetings with Congressional leaders and potential public appearances to project stability and strength during the crisis.