President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the internal handling of the Daniel Ellsberg investigation and their concerns regarding J. Edgar Hoover’s management of the FBI. The President expresses anxiety that internal dissension within the Bureau, exacerbated by the Ellsberg case, could undermine the administration's political standing. Nixon ultimately decides to intervene by coordinating with Attorney General John Mitchell to regain control over the Bureau's direction and ensure the case is managed according to his preferences.
On June 29, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, John D. Ehrlichman, and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at 11:22 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 530-007 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 530-7
Date: June 29, 1971
Time: 11:22 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with John D. Ehrlichman.
[The recording begins at an unknown time while the meeting is in progress]
Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI]
-J. Edgar Hoover
-John N. Mitchell
[The President talked with the White House operator at 11:22 am]
[Conversation No. 530-7A]
17
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF
Tape Subject Log
(rev. 10/08)
[See Conversation No. 6-20]
[End of telephone conversation]
FBI
-Discipline
-Daniel Ellsberg case Conv.No. 530-6 (cont.)
-Hoover
-Jews
Ehrlichman left at 11:22 am.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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.