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Conversation 530-008

TapeTape 530StartTuesday, June 29, 1971 at 11:22 AMEndTuesday, June 29, 1971 at 11:27 AMTape start time01:58:09Tape end time02:03:37ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Mitchell, John N.Recording deviceOval Office
AudioNARA Description

On June 29, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John N. Mitchell met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:22 am to 11:27 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 530-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 530-8

Date: June 29, 1971
Time: 11:22 am - 11:27 am

Location: Oval Office

The President talked with John N. Mitchell.

[See Conversation No. 6-21]

                                                         Conv. No. 530-15/531-25 (cont.)
Transcript (AI-Generated)

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Go ahead.
So, John, the way I feel about this case is that, firstly, in terms of this, I don't know who was right, in terms of his decision was wrong, you know what I mean, about not questioning Mark's personal considerations, but in terms of our overall situation, he just cannot, and I really feel that you have to tell him this, he cannot, with Michael and Mark, to address the FBI graduation.
And also, with the Ellsberg case being the issue, he cannot take anything which causes dissension within the FBI ranks.
It just kind of raves, holy hell.
They'll say this crotchety old man did it again, you see.
That's how he did it.
Yeah?
Well, I'll tell you what I'd like to do.
Why don't you just say that I, it came to my attention when I heard about it, that I feel very strongly, and I'll be glad to talk to you about it, but I feel, I understand that this is a binary thing, but I think the primary consideration is we must not have anything with regard to Ellsberg to reflect on Edgar Hoover, and he just has got to find a way to handle it.
It's not good to do that.
Just tell him that, and if it's needed for me to call, I'll back it up.
I'll back it up.
You tell him, but you tell him, I told the president, look, Edgar, he doesn't want to embarrass you in this very matter.
He's a rude director, but he feels very strongly.
He's coming over there to the FBI.
After all, he knows that this is going to support him, but he feels very strongly that we must not have the Ellsberg thing.
be a reason for the sanction of the Bureau, that could raise holy hell.
Could that be all right?
I want to try.
Right?
Yeah.
I mean, that's an honor to be running.
I'm ready to talk to him.
But, absolutely.
But, he just, I just don't, I just say that we've got to keep our eye on the main ball.
The main ball is Ellsberg.
We've got to get this on our pitch.
And, uh,
And, you know, I was talking to somebody over here yesterday, you know, about the ER, and I said, well, maybe we ought to drop the case if the Supreme Court doesn't just disband and so forth.
And I said, hell no.
I mean, you can't do that.
You can't be in a position of having, as I said this morning, we can't be in a position of ever allowing
It's just because some guy's going to be a minor of the line, probably to get away with this kind of wholesale thievery, or otherwise it's going to happen all over the government.
Don't you agree?
That's right.
But let me say too, don't figure the PR is too bad either.
It can turn around the other way.
People don't like people that are thieves.
Yeah?
If you will handle it, but I'll be here if I need it.
It's very important not to allow anything.
We've got to have a united front on Ellsworth.
That's the main thing.
Do you think that can work with him or not?
All right.
Yeah, just say that I heard about it and I'm coming over to make this strong statement.
Okay, fine by me.
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