Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 533
Nixon White House Tape 533 (June 30, 1971)
2 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Woods, Haldeman, Laird
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including H.R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, John Mitchell, and Melvin Laird, to determine the administration's strategy following the Supreme Court's ruling allowing the publication of the Pentagon Papers. The President rejected the idea of broad declassification as a response to the court defeat, fearing it would appear like an admission that the government's classification system was worthless. Instead, he decided to maintain a hard line on the prosecution of Daniel Ellsberg, pursue investigations into potential leaks and conspiracies within the government, and direct his staff to target the Brookings Institution to recover classified materials.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's movement and security logistics. The discussion centered on verifying whether President Nixon would be heading to the residence or remaining elsewhere. This exchange served as a brief tactical check regarding the President's immediate location and impending schedule.