Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 534
Nixon White House Tape 534 (July 1, 1971)
14 conversations · Oval Office · about 5 hr 12 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Sanchez, Haldeman, Kissinger
Presidential valet Manolo Sanchez meets with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to facilitate brief, routine logistical coordination. The exchange consists of indistinct dialogue that provides no substantive insight into policy, administration, or political decision-making. No significant developments or actionable items are recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Alexander Haig, and Henry Kissinger to strategize against the ongoing unauthorized leaking of classified government documents, specifically focusing on the Pentagon Papers and the role of Rand Corporation analyst Daniel Ellsberg. Expressing deep frustration with administration personnel like Charles Cooke, whom he suspected of compromising national security by sharing cables with Ellsberg, Nixon demanded a tougher, more aggressive approach to identifying and punishing leakers. The President directed his staff to implement a strict, "gloves off" policy toward the press while orchestrating a campaign to use leaked information to discredit his political opponents and shift public focus away from Vietnam.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and Alexander Haig to finalize strategy and messaging for Kissinger’s upcoming secret mission to Pakistan and his eventual trip to the People's Republic of China. The participants discussed controlling the size and composition of the presidential delegation and press corps to exclude perceived hostile outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post. Nixon directed that his foreign policy briefings emphasize American strength and resolve, particularly regarding Vietnam, Japan, and the Soviet Union, while cautioning against appearing weak or overly conciliatory on the issue of Taiwan.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, for a brief administrative interaction in the Oval Office. The primary focus of this short discussion was the scheduling of Charles W. Colson. No major policy decisions or significant developments resulted from this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with his senior aides, including H. R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and John Ehrlichman, to discuss the political management of the Pentagon Papers case and the administration's public response. Nixon emphasized the need for a dedicated White House coordinator to spearhead an aggressive, clandestine effort to expose leaks and political adversaries, drawing on strategies he used during the Hiss case. The President directed staff to avoid appearing defensive while simultaneously undermining the credibility of the press and the political establishment, focusing on the potential for irreparable damage to national security.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and administrative logistics. The brief discussion focused on operational readiness and managing the President’s immediate movements. Following these instructions, the participants prepared to depart the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with members of Congress and administration officials, including Joseph Blatchford and Arnold Weber, to promote a bipartisan volunteer initiative and discuss upcoming legislative priorities. The President emphasized the importance of non-partisan service, highlighting a new university program that integrates student service with academic credit and soliciting congressional support for these efforts. Additionally, the President shared personal anecdotes regarding military service and the Medal of Honor, while also briefly touching upon anti-drug initiatives and the White House Conference on Aging.
President Nixon met with an aide, identified as Alexander P. Butterfield, to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule. The discussion centered on arrangements for a meeting with entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. Specifically, the participants addressed Davis's appointment to the National Advisory Board of the Office of Economic Opportunity.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to review logistical arrangements for upcoming appointments. They discussed scheduling details regarding a photo opportunity with Sammy Davis Jr. and a meeting between Cabinet members James D. Hodgson and Elliot L. Richardson. The brief encounter served to finalize these administrative items on the President’s daily calendar.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed an upcoming meeting with Cabinet members James D. Hodgson and Elliot L. Richardson regarding federal welfare regulation waivers. Nixon expressed skepticism toward the liberal inclinations of these officials and directed Ehrlichman to ensure that the meeting did not lead to a loosening of existing regulations. The President emphasized the need for strict policy enforcement and requested that Ehrlichman attend the session to provide necessary oversight and administrative cover.
President Nixon met with Sammy Davis, Jr. to discuss the effectiveness of utilizing high-profile celebrities to combat drug abuse among youth by appealing to their aspirations rather than moralizing. Following this, the President met with administration officials, including Elliot Richardson, James Hodgson, and George Shultz, to navigate a political impasse regarding welfare reform waivers requested by California Governor Ronald Reagan. The group debated the legal risks of granting waivers for work-relief programs, deciding to pursue a strategy of providing federal public service job funding to California while avoiding an outright endorsement of Reagan's controversial welfare proposals. Additionally, the President reviewed labor statistics and planned an activist approach for a forthcoming steel industry meeting aimed at preventing a national strike.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Alexander Butterfield met to discuss personnel and strategic planning for a new administration project focused on the systematic declassification of historical national security documents. The participants reviewed potential candidates to lead this effort, emphasizing the need for an individual with an aggressive, "bear-cat" personality capable of navigating institutional resistance from the CIA, Department of State, and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Additionally, the President and Haldeman briefly touched upon economic indicators, specifically unemployment targets, and expressed frustration regarding Arthur Burns's lack of cooperation.
President Nixon, Manolo Sanchez, and unidentified individuals met in the Oval Office to discuss logistical preparations and administrative matters, including the handling of specific materials. The conversation touches upon the President's schedule and concerns related to the People's Republic of China. The discussion concludes with instructions to finalize the processing of the items being reviewed.
President Nixon met with his Deputy Assistant Alexander P. Butterfield to review the day's upcoming agenda and administrative schedule. The brief discussion focused on logistical coordination and the management of the President's morning activities. No major policy decisions were recorded during this short planning session.