President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the need to reprimand Dr. Bertram S. Brown of the National Institute of Mental Health for publicly contradicting statements made by the President during a recent press conference. Nixon expresses frustration that an administration official would undermine his position and instructs Ehrlichman to investigate Brown's credentials. Ultimately, the President directs press secretary Ron Ziegler to publicly refute Brown's comments to ensure administrative discipline.
On May 18, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:14 pm and 2:30 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 500-021 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 500-21
Date: May 18, 1971
Time: Unknown between 2:14 pm and 2:30 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.
[Discontinuities appear in the original recording]
Statements by Dr. Bertram S. Brown of National Institute of Mental Health
-President's previous press conference
-Brown identified
-Ziegler's briefing
[End of conversation]This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.