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Conversation 575-004

TapeTape 575StartFriday, September 17, 1971 at 4:24 PMEndFriday, September 17, 1971 at 4:33 PMTape start time01:24:20Tape end time01:32:59ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.;  Butterfield, Alexander P.;  White House operator;  Burger, Warren E.;  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceOval Office
AudioNARA Description

On September 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Alexander P. Butterfield, White House operator, Warren E. Burger, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:24 pm to 4:33 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 575-004 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 575-4

Date: September 17, 1971
Time: 4:24 pm - 4:33 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler and Alexander P. Butterfield.
[This recording begins at an unknown time while the meeting is in progress]

     John D. Ehrlichman

     Deferment of action

Butterfield left at an unknown time before 4:28 pm.

     Supreme Court
          -Hugo L. Black
              -Letter of resignation
                    -Timing
                    -Ziegler's announcement
                          -Time

                            -John N. Mitchell
                            -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                            -Ehrlichman
                            -Warren E. Burger

The President talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 4:24 pm and
4:28 pm.

[Conversation No. 575-4A]

[See Conversation No. 575-4B]

     Call to Burger

[End of telephone conversation]

     Supreme Court
          -Resignation of Black
               -Information
               -Ziegler’s statement
               -Time
               -Letter
                     -Time
                     -Meeting
                     -Ehrlichman
                     -Health reasons for resignation
          -Burger
               -Call to Ehrlichman
                     -Time
          -The President's statement
               -Supreme Court appearances
                     -Black's qualities as Justice
                           -Handling of issues

The President talked with Burger between 4:28 pm and 4:32 pm.

[Conversation No. 575-4B]

[See Conversation No. 9-63]

[End of telephone conversation]

     Supreme Court
          -Resignation of Black
          -Announcement
               -Burger's idea
          -Ziegler's forthcoming call to Mitchell
          -Resignation of Black
               -Press questions
                      -Anticipation
                      -Successor
                            -Qualifications
                                 -The President’s previous comments

Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 4:32 pm.

     President’s schedule

     Robert T. Stafford

Bull left at an unknown time before 4:33 pm.

     Supreme Court
          -Successor to Black
               -Answers to press
                     -Qualifications
                          -Geography

     Stafford meeting
           -Photographers

     Black
          -Forthcoming story
          -Supreme Court

Ziegler left at 4:33 pm.
Transcript (AI-Generated)

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.

As you know, we received at 3.30 the letter of retirement from Hugo Black and Justin Black.
I will then be asked, did we anticipate this?
No, we did not.
I'm going to say the Chief Justice called earlier than 3 o'clock to say a messenger was on the way over, and I'll put a little dramatic, and it arrived here at 3.37.
Another thing you can say is that the President is in his true appearance anymore.
Let me ask you on a personal basis that I don't know quite how to handle this, as to whether you think that perhaps...
Oh, you mean the announcement regarding the retirement?
I think it's going to be, it's almost inevitable, it's already, it's already attached to the press corps today.
You know, they apparently got to, they must be something off to the thing.
Yeah, yeah.
And it's, let me say that on the successor of that campaign,
under basis that I will want to have a problem with you at the proper time.
Ja.
Is that on Chief Justice yet?
Well, I think Attorney General's worked it all out.
I think we should just go ahead with it.
He says you should announce it.
You're sure he doesn't?
And I'm going to go call the Attorney General again right now.
All right, fine.
So, go ahead and do it.
Mr. Thompson, I think so.
All right.
And I'll double-check that we... Now, I know that I... Now, there's two other quick things that I'm going to get the guy to do.
They will ask...
When do you expect, how soon?
Well, the president has just been informed, unless he will look for the best qualified man.
Next question.
Does the president intend to appoint a strict constructionist?
Gentlemen, the president is going to look for the best qualified man.
Well, this is just saying, I would say no, I'm not going to comment on that, except for the president's best constructionist.
No, he is going to be strict constructionist.
I would say, I'm not going to comment.
Best qualified man.
In other words, I will not...
I will not limit it.
I will not limit it geographically.
I will just say he will look all over the country for the best qualified man.
Did I say that?
Well...
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