Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 491 › Conversation 491-016

Nixon & Byrd on Anti-war protests and Civil unrest

Wednesday, May 5, 1971 · 10:15 AM–10:27 AM ET · Oval Office · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Byrd, Harry F., Jr.Conversation491-016 on Tape 491 (tape position 03:09:39–03:11:55)StartWednesday, May 5, 1971 at 10:15 AMEndWednesday, May 5, 1971 at 10:27 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 491-016 ↗

AI Summary

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.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Gary, how are you?
If our little animals went out, just call them and follow you up today.
Well, this latest crew is a pretty destructive bunch, isn't it?
Yes.
Yes.
Well, I appreciate it.
As a matter of fact, what I called to tell you is that I heard from Clark McGregor Buster called yesterday, and I'm most grateful for the announced situation.
I appreciate it very much.
As a matter of fact, this thing is the main thing, which we're all going to come out in the end as well.
And we're just holding the course, and there'll be some good announcements as time goes on here.
So you can be sure that the fellows like yourself and the stuff right next to us, you're going to find, I think you're going to come out all right.
You better.
Yes, yes, that's right.
That's right.
Well, I appreciate it.
Matter of fact, you know, the guy that was down at the Sun and Leaves yesterday, and she said...
that the number of the the ladies you know mrs dennis and others are saying that they believe that the government has done just right and cracked down on these demonstrators and they came in you know we didn't we weren't wrong but they said when they wouldn't clear the idea you know i was in california and i talked to the chief of police and i told them saturday night that next morning i should just go in there and clean out at the end they don't want to go and that that way we just can't let them stop the government that's the way i feel
Well, thank you.
Thanks a lot.
Yes, I know.
I know she's there.
Give her my best, will you?
Bye-bye.

NARA Description

On May 5, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Harry F. Byrd, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:27 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 491-016 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 491-16

Date: May 5, 1971
Time: Unknown between 10:15 am and 10:27 am
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Henry F. Byrd, Jr..

[See Conversation No. 2-84]

Also recorded on May 5, 1971

  • 002-083 10:15 AM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:30 am.
  • 002-084 10:15 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Harry F. Byrd, Jr. talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:30 am.
  • 002-085 10:15 AM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:30 am.
  • 491-015 10:15 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:27 am.
  • 491-017 10:15 AM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:27 am.
  • 491-018 10:15 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:27 am.
  • 491-019 10:15 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:15 am and 10:27 am.
  • 002-086 10:27 AM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Melvin R. Laird talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:27 am and 10:33 am.

All 77 conversations from May 5, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 491-016, May 5, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/491-016 (accessed October 12, 2026).