Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 528
Nixon White House Tape 528 (June 23, 1971 – June 24, 1971)
19 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 19 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Haldeman, Colson
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to develop a political strategy for responding to the Pentagon Papers, aiming to shift public attention away from the administration and toward the failures of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining a calm, presidential demeanor while delegating aggressive attacks against the Democratic field, particularly targeting Edward Kennedy and Edmund Muskie, to subordinates and allies. The group also discussed using upcoming policy initiatives and economic indicators to bolster confidence, while Nixon directed his staff to demand significant financial contributions from potential ambassadorial appointees to secure necessary party funding.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate logistics for an upcoming dinner honoring Postmaster General Winton M. “Red” Blount. The discussion focused on securing suitable "family-type" entertainment to ensure a light atmosphere for the guests. They also decided that the formal presentation of Blount’s Cabinet Room chair would occur at a future Cabinet meeting rather than during the dinner event.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The brief interaction focused on the President requesting coffee. No significant policy discussions or major administrative decisions occurred during this brief encounter.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the administration's response to the Pentagon Papers, focusing on delegating a team to manage the declassification process while emphasizing that the documents originated during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Nixon stressed the importance of framing the leaks as a national security risk, using the argument that a single compromised document could reveal codes or endanger lives to justify the administration's legal stance. Additionally, they reviewed scheduling for the President’s upcoming Midwest trip and discussed the necessity of curbing internal leaks and exerting tighter control over White House and Congressional staff regarding policy recommendations.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a series of upcoming meetings with key political figures. The discussion centered on coordinating calls or appointments involving Congressman Wilbur Mills, Congressman John Burns, and Ambassador Kenneth Cole. This interaction served as a logistical step in managing the President's legislative and diplomatic outreach efforts.
President Nixon met with Congressman Wilbur D. Mills to commend his leadership in advancing H.R. 1, a significant piece of social welfare legislation. The two discussed legislative strategy and the necessity of maintaining a strong work requirement for benefit eligibility. Furthermore, Nixon articulated his rationale for opposing the unauthorized release of classified documents, framing the Pentagon Papers controversy as a critical issue of national security and the rule of law rather than a partisan cover-up.
President Nixon held a brief, two-second meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. No substantive policy matters or discussions were captured during this exchange. The encounter concluded immediately following the President's initial greeting.
President Nixon met with Representative John W. Byrnes to express appreciation for the legislative support provided by Byrnes and Wilbur Mills regarding a recent bill. The conversation centered on justifying the administration's welfare reform proposals, with both men emphasizing that the legislation should be framed as a work incentive rather than a guaranteed annual income for the unemployed. Nixon concluded by confirming his intent to lobby Senator Richard Russell to secure further support for the administration's agenda.
President Nixon instructs the White House operator to relay a personal message of well-wishes to an unidentified individual. He emphasizes his intent to return to the golf course as soon as possible. The interaction concludes quickly as the operator departs for a television appearance.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to review administrative scheduling matters, specifically concerning a request from Peter M. Flanigan. The discussion addressed Flanigan's inability to attend a scheduled meeting and the necessity of preparing a formal recorded statement. The interaction served to coordinate immediate personnel logistics and administrative tasks for the President.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly in the Oval Office to address administrative matters regarding the President's daily schedule. The exchange was exceptionally brief and served primarily as a logistics check for the morning's activities. No substantive policy discussions or major decisions were recorded during this session.
President Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, in the Oval Office to conduct a brief review of the President's daily schedule. The conversation focused on the logistical coordination of the President's upcoming appointments and administrative duties. No major policy decisions were recorded during this short meeting, which concluded with routine administrative adjustments.
President Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman coordinated a brief transit to a theater engagement. The conversation served primarily as a logistical check for their upcoming departure from the White House. No substantive policy discussions or administrative decisions were recorded during this short interval.
President Nixon met with Ambassador Anthony D. Marshall and W. Marshall Wright to discuss the deteriorating diplomatic situation in Madagascar, specifically the influence of French official Jacques Foccart in instigating actions against U.S. personnel. The participants evaluated the goals for an upcoming U.S. diplomatic mission, which included rescinding expulsion orders for American officers and preserving vital U.S. interests, such as a NASA tracking station and economic assets. Following this briefing, the President advised Marshall to consult with Peter Flanigan regarding potential future diplomatic assignments in Europe, Australia, or Africa.
President Richard M. Nixon met with his personal aide, Stephen B. Bull, in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative matters and manage the President's daily schedule. The brief interaction served as a logistical check-in to facilitate the workflow of the executive office. No major policy decisions were recorded during this session, as the meeting concluded immediately.
President Nixon met with a group of professional football players and union representatives, including John Mackey and Nick Buonconti, to discuss the importance of competitive spirit and athletic leadership. The President used the meeting as an opportunity to reinforce themes of perseverance, the drive to succeed, and the value of hard work in American life. He connected these athletic virtues to national character, encouraging the athletes to continue serving as positive role models for youth.
An unidentified individual visits the Oval Office to deliver an object, referred to as a knife, to another participant. The brief exchange involves the brief handling of this item and a suggestion that an absent individual will return shortly. The recording provides no information regarding political policy, administrative strategy, or substantive government business.
Secret Service personnel engaged in a brief, low-level operational exchange within the Oval Office. The recording captures minimal dialogue regarding the arrival and departure of staff members or security details. Due to the limited and largely unintelligible nature of the audio, no significant policy decisions or substantive political developments are documented.
An unidentified group gathered in the Oval Office to discuss the possession of specific high-capacity items, referred to as "one-hundred ton" units. The dialogue consists of repetitive remarks regarding these objects, suggesting the group was examining physical materials or cargo. No clear administrative decisions or formal policy actions were established during this brief exchange.