Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 531 › Conversation 531-025

Nixon & Haldeman on Leaks and Public Confidence

Tuesday, June 29, 1971 · 12:46 PM–1:11 PM ET · Oval Office · 4 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Conversation531-025 on Tape 531 (tape position 02:21:39–02:27:40)StartTuesday, June 29, 1971 at 12:46 PMEndTuesday, June 29, 1971 at 1:11 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 531-025 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the damaging impact of administration leaks on public confidence and the necessity for a more decisive, unified executive presence. They assess the reactions of cabinet members, specifically Peter G. Peterson, to the President's recent directives regarding discipline and interdepartmental policy. Haldeman is tasked with briefing the White House staff to reinforce these expectations and ensure a stronger, more confident public posture for the administration.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript is incomplete. The transcription skipped stretches of speech — roughly 2 minutes of this recording (about 50% of it) is represented by only a few words. Listen to the audio rather than relying on the text below; a corrected transcript is queued.

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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And that's what's wrong with it.
Well, that's right, he said that.
Just as well, you know, whatever our policy is, you just got to just act.
It's everything.
Of course, I don't pick up a percent in terms of confidence, you know.
Now, this is it, boys.
We know what we're doing, and we're confident.
You know, it's like the team.
The guy leading the charge, you know, he looks scared.
The rest of them are running to our tail.
Well, for your question, I want you to understand a few of the other policies that we spoke about.
The time when Peterson acted that way made me, that this government needed that sort of thing.
What do you think?
And I think everybody feels that way, even though he accepts himself for his own errands sometimes.
You wouldn't appreciate it.
You know, I mentioned that you were a part of the White House government.
When I say that, it's a general thing.
They know we're not overlooking white all the time.
Hey, you jumped hard on that.
That's the other thing, dude.
We're setting the stage now.
We're being goddamn tough on somebody here.
Just let them go.
What'd you read?
So Peterson, I'm looking for another trick.
Bastard, he has a biological name.
Thank you, sir.

NARA Description

On June 29, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:46 pm to 1:11 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 531-025 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 531-25/530-15

Date: June 29, 1971
Time: 12:46 pm - 1:11 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman; this recording begins at an unknown time while
the meeting is in progress.

     Leaks
          -Interdepartmental rivalry
                -John N. Mitchell

     John B. Connally
          -National Commission on Productivity
          -Activities

     Leaks
          -Effect on public confidence in administration
          -President's comments to Cabinet

                 -Peter G. Peterson's reaction
                 -Haldeman's forthcoming briefing to White House staff
                 -Mitchell
           -Peterson
                 -Search for Ambassador to Japan
                       -Unknown man

Also recorded on June 29, 1971

  • 006-022 11:27 AM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:27 am and 2:28 pm.
  • 530-010 11:30 AM · 32 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Peter G. Peterson, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:30 am to 12:01 pm.
  • 530-011 12:03 PM · 8 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Fred Gualtier, Frank DeLuca, Carnen Williams, George T. Bell, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:03 pm to 12:11 pm.
  • 530-012 12:11 PM · 31 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Peter G. Peterson, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:11 pm to 12:42 pm.
  • 530-013 12:42 PM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:42 pm to 12:44 pm.
  • 530-014 12:44 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Mrs. Frank Mason, Pam Bull, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:44 pm to 12:46 pm.
  • 530-015 12:46 PM · 19 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:46 pm to 1:11 pm.
  • 531-032 1:11 PM · 11 sec — Stephen B. Bull and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:11 pm and 4:18 pm.

All 54 conversations from June 29, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 531-025, June 29, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/531-025 (accessed October 5, 2026).