Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 491
Nixon White House Tape 491 (April 28, 1971 – May 5, 1971)
34 conversations · Oval Office · about 5 hr 24 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, United States Secret Service agents, Haldeman, Ziegler
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate administrative strategy regarding the President’s upcoming press conference and ongoing foreign policy initiatives, specifically China and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Kissinger provided intelligence on Chinese communications regarding Taiwan and discussed the potential for a breakthrough in SALT negotiations with the Soviet Union. Nixon expressed a desire to project a firmer, more controlled image, vowing to confront his critics and political opponents more aggressively while maintaining strict secrecy around these diplomatic efforts.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize scheduling logistics for an upcoming meeting and an associated press photograph. They coordinated the timing of these events to ensure they concluded within a strict ten-minute window. Bull confirmed the operational plan to manage the President's schedule effectively for the afternoon.
President Nixon met with Melvin Laird, James Johnson, and other officials to discuss personnel appointments, specifically the nomination of James Johnson and the broader administration policy regarding minority representation in the military. The group reviewed the qualifications of black officers, including Admiral Samuel Gravely and General Daniel 'Chappie' James, while emphasizing that selection criteria were based on merit rather than race. The discussion also covered the President's recent speech on welfare reform and strategic scheduling for upcoming appearances by Navy officials.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull briefly met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically regarding a meeting with West German politician Gerhardt Schroeder. The discussion focused on logistical arrangements for this diplomatic encounter. The interaction concluded quickly, with no substantive policy decisions recorded beyond the initial scheduling update.
President Nixon met with his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, press secretary Ronald Ziegler, and photographer Howell Conant to coordinate a photoshoot for an upcoming magazine feature. Much of the discussion focused on the technical logistics of the session, including lighting, poses, and the selection of office locations to ensure high-quality, controlled imagery. Amidst these arrangements, the group engaged in casual conversation regarding White House personnel, the President's schedule, and the appointment of James E. Johnson to a high-ranking position within the Navy.
Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office to verify the status of a specific individual referred to as 'Angel' and coordinate on his current location. The agents discussed whether this individual had successfully retrieved certain items, ultimately concluding he likely had not. This brief operational check appears to focus on internal security or logistical oversight regarding presidential security details.
Alexander P. Butterfield met with an unidentified individual to facilitate a logistical or administrative task involving the President. The brief discussion centered on the placement of the President for a photography session involving Tricia Nixon. No major policy developments occurred during this interaction, which functioned primarily as a coordination check for White House imagery.
Secret Service agents entered the Oval Office for a brief meeting with the President. The discussion was limited to routine environmental concerns, specifically the current weather conditions, before the agents departed. No policy decisions or substantive administrative actions were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon met with his daughter, Tricia Nixon, along with Ann Coffin and photographer Howell Conant, to exchange gifts and discuss logistics for upcoming wedding photography. The group engaged in casual conversation regarding urban life in major American cities and the President's upcoming travel schedule. The discussion primarily served as a social prelude to planning portrait sessions for Tricia’s wedding, weighing the aesthetic and practical benefits of settings in California versus the White House.
President Nixon met with West German politician Gerhardt Schroeder, Henry Kissinger, and Helmut Sonnenfeldt to discuss international security and the shifting global balance of power. The participants engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue regarding the ongoing Berlin negotiations, East-West relations, the importance of British entry into the European Economic Community, and the potential impact of Chinese diplomacy on the Vietnam War. Nixon emphasized the necessity of a multipolar world order where strong, independent power centers—including a unified Europe, Japan, and the United States—serve to maintain global stability.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler to discuss a wide range of administrative, public relations, and personnel matters, including media strategy for upcoming events. The group evaluated potential photographers for official portraits, planned the logistics for Tricia Nixon's televised tour, and discussed the President’s approach to an upcoming press conference. Additionally, Nixon addressed staffing changes, the handling of anti-war protests, and the political branding of government initiatives like the national cancer program.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to coordinate security logistics and communication protocols during a period when President Nixon was relocated to the Cabinet Room. The brief exchange was interrupted by technical issues, resulting in an immediate termination of the recording. No substantive policy discussions occurred, as the dialogue was limited to operational adjustments regarding the President's immediate location.
United States Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics regarding the President's movements and access protocols. The brief exchange reflects a debate among the security detail concerning the authorization and advisability of allowing entry into a specific, restricted area. No major policy shifts or executive decisions were recorded during this fragmentary discussion.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed the President's upcoming schedule, prioritizing discussions on trade strategy with Peter Peterson and managing the political fallout from ongoing anti-war demonstrations. Nixon expressed frustration with the bureaucratic process regarding sugar quotas and requested tighter control over the administration's interactions with the Business Council. Furthermore, they discussed the government's firm response to recent mass arrests of protesters and the potential to leverage public support for the police and administration.
President Nixon initiated a brief communication through the White House operator to facilitate a connection with another party. This exchange served as a routine administrative step in the President's daily workflow, likely to coordinate a scheduled call or meeting. No substantive policy or political matters were discussed during this brief interaction.
President Nixon met with Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. to discuss the administration's firm handling of anti-war demonstrators in Washington, D.C. Nixon expressed his resolve to maintain order, citing his recent support for local police to clear protesters from government spaces. The two also exchanged political pleasantries regarding upcoming administrative announcements and mutual legislative support.
President Nixon requested that the White House operator place a call to an individual referred to as a "spectator." This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to initiate a communication or meeting with an external party. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified woman in the Oval Office to coordinate his immediate schedule. Following their discussion, he arranged for Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to be brought in for a meeting. This exchange served primarily as a logistical transition to facilitate the President's subsequent appointment with Haig.
President Nixon met with an unknown woman in the Oval Office to briefly discuss administrative and scheduling matters. During the session, the conversation touched upon the current location of Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and activities related to the Central Intelligence Agency. The meeting concluded shortly thereafter with no major policy decisions recorded.
President Nixon and Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird discuss the successful handling of recent anti-war demonstrations in Washington, noting the effective performance of law enforcement and military personnel. They transition to discussing the timing of proposed military command changes, specifically regarding the Nixon Doctrine and military assistance programs in Latin America. Nixon decides to postpone a final decision on these structural reorganizations until he can consult with a select group of advisors, including Laird, Henry Kissinger, and David Packard, to ensure the policy does not signal an unwanted withdrawal from foreign commitments.
President Nixon and John Mitchell discuss the security management of ongoing anti-war demonstrations in Washington, specifically focusing on the coordination between military and civilian authorities. They address the role of the Capitol Police in handling protesters on congressional grounds and express a cynical willingness to let law enforcement use force if necessary. The President emphasizes the importance of maintaining clear jurisdictional responsibility for the crowd control operations to ensure the demonstrations proceed according to the administration's plan.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative matters. The brief discussion focused primarily on managing the President's upcoming schedule and arranging necessary meetings. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this logistical exchange.
President Nixon met with Peter G. Peterson and Peter M. Flanigan to discuss a more aggressive U.S. economic and trade strategy, specifically targeting Japan's trade barriers and undervalued yen. The participants explored long-term economic planning, including the potential for protective measures in key industries like automobiles, while addressing the ongoing international monetary crisis and the relative strength of the dollar. The group decided to position Treasury Secretary John B. Connally as the primary administration spokesperson for these economic issues, with an emphasis on signaling a tougher stance to both domestic audiences and foreign governments.
President Nixon met with Secret Service agents to provide specific, though unidentified, instructions regarding the handling of a particular individual or situation. The brief exchange focused on ensuring the agents deferred to the directives of the unnamed person being referenced. This interaction underscores the President's direct involvement in personal security or logistics management during a period of heightened activity.
President Nixon hosted Pat Nixon and Tricia Nixon in the Oval Office to discuss the aesthetic and functional updates to the room. The conversation focused on the office's new layout, specifically highlighting the improved atmosphere and the changes to the window views that obscured public foot traffic. The brief meeting concluded with the participants confirming their plans to meet again later that evening.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate the White House's public response to the first anniversary of the Kent State and Jackson State shootings, specifically addressing how to handle critical CBS media coverage. Nixon directed Ziegler to maintain a firm, low-profile posture regarding these events while reiterating previous statements of sorrow to avoid inciting further media agitation. They also discussed debunking rumors of a meeting between the President and Judge Reid Kennedy regarding the William Calley case and reviewed the status of a potential invitation for the President to speak before the American Bar Association.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the logistics for upcoming Federal Civilian Service awards. They specifically discussed the need to calculate the aggregate number of years of service represented by the award recipients. This brief meeting served to ensure the accuracy of biographical data for the recognition ceremony.
President Nixon met with Paul W. McCracken, Ezra Solomon, and George P. Shultz to discuss the appointment of Ezra Solomon to the Council of Economic Advisers and to solicit his expertise for long-term economic planning. The participants analyzed the state of the American economy, focusing on consumer confidence, retail sales, and the competitive challenges posed by international trade, particularly regarding Japan. Nixon emphasized the need for a strategic, forward-looking economic approach that considers geopolitical trends and maintains U.S. competitiveness in a globalized market.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming Federal Civilian Service awards ceremony. They reviewed the precise protocol for the event, including press positioning, the sequence for introducing honorees such as Samuel M. Cohn, and the choreography for the presentation of awards and photographs. This coordination served to streamline the event's flow and minimize potential disruptions.
President Nixon hosted a Federal Civilian Service Awards ceremony in the Oval Office to honor distinguished public servants, including Samuel M. Cohn, U. Alexis Johnson, Edward F. Knipling, Fred Leonard, and George H. Willis. During the event, the President presented medals and recognized the recipients for their significant contributions to fiscal policy, diplomacy, entomology, medical research, and international monetary systems. Following the formal presentations and a group photograph, the President engaged in general conversation with the attendees regarding the Oval Office décor, his daily schedule, and his auxiliary office in the Executive Office Building.
President Nixon met with Senator John G. Tower and associates to discuss federal assistance for the severe drought affecting Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The participants strategized on legislative relief measures, including loan forgiveness and expanded Small Business Administration support, to address the political risks the drought posed to the administration. Additionally, Nixon agreed to record a 30-40 second video message for Tower's upcoming decade-of-service dinner in Dallas and discussed the broader political optics of his administration's response to the crisis.
President Nixon met briefly with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The exchange consisted of mutual well-wishes as Sanchez prepared to depart. No substantive policy matters or administrative decisions were addressed during this brief encounter.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and John Dean met to discuss political strategy regarding regional economic challenges, specifically the drought situation and unemployment in key states like California. They evaluated the effectiveness of recent administration outreach and media tactics, including utilizing the President’s press conferences to bypass critical coverage and shape public opinion. The participants also discussed coordinating with congressional leadership to build support among Southern Democrats for the administration’s legislative agenda.
Secret Service agents met with President Nixon in the Oval Office to discuss unspecified logistical matters. The brief and largely unintelligible exchange included logistical preparations and a personal farewell to an individual identified as John Baker. The conversation concluded with instructions to maintain communication as developments arose.