Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 519 › Conversation 519-001
Nixon, Haldeman & Butterfield on Pentagon Papers and Brookings Institution
Monday, June 14, 1971 · 8:49 AM–10:04 AM ET · Oval Office ·56 min
AI Summary
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and other staff members to address the political fallout from the publication of the Pentagon Papers and to plan the administration's defensive response. The discussion centered on delegitimizing the leaks by implicating the Brookings Institution and framing the disclosure as a moral failure of the intellectual community and the previous administration. Additionally, the President and his staff managed logistical details regarding his upcoming summer schedule, including travel to California, Florida, and Camp David, while coordinating his public relations strategy for a television documentary on his drug initiatives.
- Pentagon Papers
- Brookings Institution
- Leaks and Classified Information
- Public Relations Strategy
- Presidential Schedule
- Administration Credibility
Audio
Transcript (AI-generated)
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NARA Description
On June 14, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Alexander P. Butterfield, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Rose Mary Woods met in the Oval Office of the White House from 8:49 am to 10:04 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 519-001 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 519-1
Date: June 14, 1971
Time: 8:49 am - 10:04 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
Wedding
-Public relations
-Press accounts
-Oliver F. (“Ollie”) Atkins
-Washington Post story
-Credibility of press criticism
-Dan Rather comment
-John A. Scali [?]
-Explanation
President’s schedule
-Visit of Israelis
Support for President
-General Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
-Melvin R. Laird
-New York Times magazine article
-Content
-Vietnamization
-Laird television appearance [?]
-Coverage by press
-Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
Administration policy
-Farm question
-Clifford M. Hardin
-John C. Whitaker role
-Concern for question
-Administration accomplishments
-Bryce N. Harlow
-Richard A. Moore role
-Housing
-Liberal
-Reaction to administration action
-National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP]
Pentagon Papers and control of classified material
-New York Times story
-Concern within staff
-Leon E. Panetta
-Release of classified documents
-Alger Hiss case
-Henry A. Kissinger’s staff
-Leslie H. Gelb
-Brookings Institution
-Tom C. Huston
-Brookings access to classified material
-Security precaution
-Administration action
-Brookings classified holdings
-Richard V. (“Dick”) Allen
-Brookings staff
-Morton H. Halperin and Gelb
-Halperin status
-William A. K. (“Tony”) Lake
-Previous employment
-Edmund S. Muskie
-Gelb
-J. Edgar Hoover
-New York Times
-Neil Sheehan
-Herbert G. Klein role
-Status
-Use of classification system
-Publishing of classified information by newspapers
-Action against violators of the law
-Timing
-Kissinger’s staff
-Kissinger visit to Brookings Institute
-Democratic National Committee [DNC]
-George P. Shultz role
-Charles L. Shultze role
-Intellectuals
-Morality
-Hiss case
-Damage to administration by release of information
-Donald H. Rumsfeld
-Popular view of government credibility
-Infallibility of President
-Infallibility of President
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-Pearl Harbor
-Testimony by an admiral
-Credibility of compromised information
-Haig
-Follow-up by media
-New York Times publication
-Chronological framework of New York Times story
-Gulf of Tonkin
-Reasons
-Kissinger’s conversation with Max Frankel
-Extent of information
-John F. Kennedy role
-Administration response to New York Times story
-Access
-Press loyalty to country
-Damage incurred
-Barry M. Goldwater
-Reflection on Lyndon B. Johnson
-Reflection on Walt W. Rostow
-Origination of story
-Possible political repercussions
-Damage to Democrats
-Administration response
-Publication of administration story
-Gelb
-Huston role
-Patrick J. Buchanan role
-Victor Lasky role
-Brookings role
-Statement in Senate
-Possible speakers
-Goldwater
-Robert J. Dole
-Brookings rebuttal
-Effect of published story on Senate speech
-Huston role
-Leaks other than “Pentagon Papers”
Haig
Wedding
-Replay of news coverage
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 06/17/2022.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w002]
[Duration: 48s]
Tricia Nixon Cox and Edward R. F. Cox wedding
-Replay of news coverage
-Camp David facilities
-Tricia Nixon Cox and Edward R.F. Cox
-White House facilities
-Timing
-National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] presentation
******************************************************************************
American Broadcasting Company [ABC] drug documentary
-ABC request
-Filming of “behind the scenes” meetings
-Method
-Timing of release
-White House input
-Intrusion of equipment
-Comparison with Kennedy documentary of “Wallace School Decision”
-Effect of technique
-Removal of objectionable scenes
-Producer
-Scali role
-Public relations benefits
Meeting with new appointees
-Use of President’s time
-Benefits
-Restriction of meetings to secretaries
-John A. Volpe
President’s schedule
-Other meetings
-National Association of Real Estate Brokers [NAREB]
-National Association of Home Builders [NAHB]
-Charles W. Colson
-Peter M. Flanigan
-President’s standing with business
-Legislation
-George S. McGovern-Mark O. Hatfield
-Agnew
-Camp David weekend
-Upcoming Florida and California trips
-Timing
-Midway Island
-California meetings
-Participants
-Shultz people
-John B. Connally [?] people
-Length of meetings
-Value of meetings
-Scheduling
-Budget meetings
-Timing
-In relation to Camp David trip
-Amount of material to be covered
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/07/2020.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w003]
[Duration: 12s]
The President’s schedule
-Time off
-June 26-27, 1971
-Camp David
******************************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-Camp David
-Return to Washington for meetings
-Announcement on Rochester trip
-Airport arrival
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/07/2020.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w004]
[Duration: 42s]
The President’s schedule
-Camp David
-Helene (Colesie) Drown
-White House visit
-Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
-Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo’s role
-Rose Mary Woods’ role
-Limit of visitors [?]
******************************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-Budget meeting
-Length
-John D. Ehrlichman
-California meeting
-Content
-Timing
-Chicago trip
-Timing of departure
-Inclusion of other meetings
-Advantages
-Timing
-Minot Island, Maine trip
-Cancellation
-Florida trip
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/07/2020.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w005]
[Duration: 34s]
The President’s schedule
-Florida trip
-Wedding anniversary
-Advantages
-Arrive June 18, 1971
-Depart June 22, 1971
-Atlantic City
-Wedding anniversary
******************************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-Minot Island, Maine trip
-Weather
Alexander P. Butterfield entered at 9:40 am
-Florida trip
-Stephen B. Bull
Butterfield left at 9:43 am
-Florida trip
-Alternative to Maine
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/07/2020.
34s segment cleared for release. 12s remain closed as 519-001-w006.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w006]
[Duration: 34s]
The President’s schedule
-Florida trip
-Jack Drown and Helene (Colesie) Drown
******************************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w006]
[Duration: 12s]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 6
******************************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-Jack Drown and Helene (Colesie) Drown
******************************************************************************
Ronald L. Ziegler entered at 9:44 am
ABC drug documentary
-White House control
Ziegler left at 9:45 am
-Ziegler’s role
-Scali’s role
President’s schedule
-Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon’s schedule
-July commitments
-Summer schedule
-Press conferences
-Rochester visit
-Use of prime time
-Ratings in the summer
-Television time
-Wedding
-Drug movie
-President’s upcoming meeting with American Association of Retired
Persons [AARP]
-Cancellation
-Need for decision
-Public relations
-Benefits
-Television overkill
-Press conferences and President’s position
-Need for California press conference
-Timing
-Roger Milliken meeting with John N. Mitchell
-Milliken request for meeting with President
-Peter G. Peterson, Harry S. Dent meeting with President
-Handling of textile talks
-David M. Kennedy’s view
-Connally’s role
-Mrs. Nixon’s schedule
-Willy Brandt dinner
-Rochester
-Winton M. (“Red”) Blount dinner
-AARP meeting
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/08/2020.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w007]
[Duration: 18s]
The President’s schedule
-Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon’s schedule
-Time off
******************************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-California
-August 8th commitment
-Midway Island meeting
-Press conference
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/07/2020.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w008]
[Duration: 18s]
The President’s schedule
-Time off
-Minot Island, Maine
-Things to do
******************************************************************************
Rose Mary Woods entered at 10:00 am
The President’s schedule
-Drug meeting with ambassadors
-Jack [Surname unknown]
Haldeman left at unknown time after 10:00 am
******************************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 01/08/2020. 4m
7s segment cleared for release with two segments of 23s and 51s remaining closed as 519-001-
w009 and 519-001-w010 respectively.]
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w009]
[Duration: 4m 7s]
The President’s schedule
-Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon’s schedule
-July 1971
-August 8, 1971
-Future commitments
-June 29, 1971 dinner for Winston M. (“Red”) Blount
-The President’s forthcoming speech on June 25, 1971
-American Association of Retired Persons [AARP] conference
-Chicago
-Possible trip to California [?]
-Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
-Jack Drown and Helene (Colesie) Drown
******************************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w009]
[Duration: 23s]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9
******************************************************************************
The President’s schedule
-The Drowns’ schedule
-Hotel
-Check out
-Jack Drown
-Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
-Intentions on visit
-Genuineness
******************************************************************************
BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 10
[Personal Returnable]
[519-001-w010]
[Duration: 51s]
END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 10
******************************************************************************
-Helene (Colesie) Drown
-The President’s schedule
-The President’s trip to Midway
-Helene (Colesie) Drown’s visit with Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
-Possibility of extending visit
-Relationship with the President
Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
-Possible forthcoming conversation with Rose Mary Woods
Jack Drown and Helene (Colesie) Drown
-Relationship with Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon
-Frequency of visits
******************************************************************************
Woods left at 10:04 amAlso recorded on June 14, 1971
- 005-060 8:30 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:30 am and 12:16 pm.
- 061-001 8:30 AM — President Richard M. Nixon, State Department representatives, and other officials, including William P. Rogers, John N. Irwin, II, U. Alexis Johnson, Nathanial Samuels, William B. Macomber, Jr., Richard F. Pedersen, William I. Cargo, Marshall Green, Rodger P. Davies, Martin J. Hillebrand, Martin F. Herz, Charles A. Meyer, Harvey R. Wellman, Maurice J. Williams, David M. Ashbire, John N. Mitchell, Elliot R. Richardson, John B. Connally, Roger T. Kelley, Leonard Unger, Robert H. McBride, Arthur K. Watson, Kingdon Goud, Jr., William J. Handley, Ellsworth F. Bunker, George H. W. Bush, John D. Ehrlichman, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Ronald L. Ziegler, Donald H. Rumsfield, Egil ("Bud") Krogh, Jr., John E. ("Jack") Ingersoll, and Richard M. Helms, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:30 am and 4:34 pm.
- 519-002 10:04 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:04 am and 10:06 am.
- 519-003 10:06 AM · 33 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:06 am to 10:07 am.
- 061-002 11:54 AM — President Richard M. Nixon and railway union leaders, including Frank T. Gladney, John J. McNamara, C. J. Coughlin, William W. Winpisinger, Charles J. Chamberlain, Anthony L. Krause, C. L. Dennis, J. R. Tipton, A. T. Otto, Jr., Charles R. Pfenning, J. W. O'Brien, Richard W. Smith, James E. Yost, Charles E. Goodlin, Harold C. Crotty, Charles Luna, John A. Volpe, Charles W. Colson, George T. Bell, Willie J. Usery, Jr., and James D. Hodgson, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 11:54 am and 11:59 pm.
- 519-004 11:56 AM · 19 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Peter G. Peterson, Harry S. Dent, Peter M. Flanigan, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:56 am to 12:17 pm.
- 005-061 12:16 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone from 12:16 pm to 12:19 pm.
- 005-062 12:16 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:16 pm and 2:41 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 519-001, June 14, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/519-001 (accessed September 18, 2026).