Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 538
Nixon White House Tape 538 (July 6, 1971)
16 conversations · Oval Office · about 1 hr 36 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Haig, Shultz
President Nixon held a brief, private meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual. The entirety of the recorded interaction is unintelligible, preventing a determination of the specific topics or objectives discussed. No identifiable decisions, policy shifts, or action items were captured during the session.
President Nixon held a brief morning meeting in the Oval Office with General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and an unidentified individual to discuss administrative scheduling matters. The discussion focused primarily on the President's upcoming agenda and logistical arrangements for his appointments. No significant policy decisions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon held an brief, unrecorded-substance meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. The only audible content from the transcript consists of a brief mention of the 'National Police.' Due to the lack of dialogue, no substantive policy decisions or actionable directives were documented during this encounter.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed strategies for managing U.S. foreign policy, specifically focusing on balancing negotiations with the Soviet Union while preparing for a diplomatic opening with the People's Republic of China. Nixon emphasized the need to adopt a tougher, more assertive stance toward the Soviets regarding Berlin and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) to counter their perceived delaying tactics. The President decided to bypass traditional channels like David K. E. Bruce, opting to communicate directly to ensure the U.S. maintains the psychological initiative in these high-stakes geopolitical maneuvers.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discussed strategies for managing the administration's image, specifically focusing on how to address the Pentagon Papers fallout and upcoming media briefings. They reached a decision to initiate a systematic revocation of security clearances for officials from the previous Kennedy and Johnson administrations to emphasize a commitment to document security. Additionally, Nixon directed Haldeman to have Charles Colson prioritize the aggressive release of information that would implicate previous administrations in the unauthorized handling of sensitive materials.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the scheduling of a follow-up telephone call between the President and Attorney General John Mitchell regarding his upcoming travel plans. The conversation also shifts to an evaluation of recent television news coverage and the administration’s strategy for managing media relations. Nixon directs Haldeman to gather feedback from staff regarding the effectiveness of their outreach and to coordinate future efforts in shaping the network narrative.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his daily schedule and manage upcoming meetings. The primary focus was ensuring the President remained free from interruptions ahead of a 10:00 a.m. engagement. Additionally, the pair briefly touched upon a meeting request submitted by George P. Shultz.
President Nixon and George Shultz met to coordinate the President's upcoming appearance before steel industry and labor leaders, focusing on long-term industry challenges like productivity, foreign competition, and wage stagnation. They agreed the President should emphasize the national interest in a healthy steel sector while encouraging constructive labor-management negotiations. The two also reviewed recent Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment data and positive retail sales indicators, specifically noting that employment improvements among adult workers remained strong despite seasonal fluctuations in teenage unemployment statistics.
President Nixon held a brief, private meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. The conversation consisted of a very short exchange regarding a document or item referred to as a "smart copy," after which the visitor promptly departed. No further substantive policy matters or major developments were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review administrative preparations for upcoming meetings and the logistics of presenting presidential mementos to guests. The discussion centered on managing the presentation of gifts and coordinating the scheduling of materials for visitors. Nixon and Bull finalized these arrangements to ensure that appropriate tokens were ready for distribution during his scheduled appointments.
President Nixon met with Secret Service agents to coordinate his movement and security while relocating to the Cabinet Room. The discussion focused on confirming the President's current position and securing the transition between locations. The recording concludes shortly after these logistical arrangements for the President's transit are addressed.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to coordinate his daily schedule and upcoming meetings. The discussion centered on arrangements for the arrival of Attorney General John N. Mitchell and General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. at the White House. These logistical preparations facilitated the President's subsequent high-level administrative consultations.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Alexander Haig to discuss the administration's aggressive response to the Pentagon Papers leaks and the ongoing investigation into alleged leakers and conspirators. The group coordinated efforts to plant friendly personnel in congressional committees to serve as investigative conduits and reviewed progress on polygraph testing and evidence gathering against individuals like Charles Cooke and Daniel Ellsberg. Additionally, the President and Haig discussed foreign policy strategy, specifically addressing the diplomatic maneuvering with the Soviet Union regarding the SALT talks and the administration's cautious, calculated approach toward the upcoming opening with the People's Republic of China.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to review the President's upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the discussion was confirming the details for an impending meeting with Attorney General John N. Mitchell. Specifically, the President finalized the arrangement to ensure H.R. "Bob" Haldeman would be in attendance for the session.
President Nixon met with John Mitchell, H. R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman primarily to discuss the ongoing investigation into the leak of the Pentagon Papers and the prosecution of Daniel Ellsberg. The participants strategized on how to expose the existence of a broader conspiracy, suggesting that the administration should leverage media leaks and congressional committees to sway public opinion. Nixon emphasized the need for strict control over the investigative process, instructing that no final indictments be issued without his direct approval while the team continued to build their case.
President Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, and Stephen Bull meet with unidentified guests to facilitate a brief, informal reception. The President exchanges pleasantries, reflects on past acquaintances, and presents commemorative gifts, including an item featuring the presidential seal. The meeting concludes with arrangements for the guests to tour the grounds and coordinate the arrival of additional visitors.