Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 656 › Conversation 656-012

Nixon, Haig & Middendorf on Resignation and Maurice Stans

Wednesday, January 26, 1972 · 12:05 PM–12:08 PM ET · Oval Office · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.; Middendorf, J. William, IIConversation656-012 on Tape 656 (tape position 02:13:11–02:16:42)StartWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 12:05 PMEndWednesday, January 26, 1972 at 12:08 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 656-012 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon, Alexander Haig, and J. William Middendorf, II discussed the logistics surrounding Middendorf's upcoming resignation from his post. The participants coordinated the timing of the announcement and the transition process, with the President advising Middendorf to work out specific details with Maurice Stans. The meeting concluded with the President presenting a presidential money clip to Middendorf as a token of appreciation for his service, particularly regarding U.S.-Dutch relations.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Oh, you do.
Like your old self.
Well, whatever you want.
It's up to you, Bill.
You know, what you want to say.
It's your choice.
I appreciate it.
We need your advice.
But I think that
jurors I've just told her before.
I'm afraid that my jury said that these new complicated laws, unfortunately, have to organize all 30 states, as I said,
Before I announce, we should talk to the Rodgers.
Right.
But that's later in the spring.
Yeah.
Because the school season's coming here around June 1st.
Look, we won't say a thing.
And if you're ready, you let us know, and we'll try to have a successor ready and all that sort of thing.
And if I'm leaving today in June, would I announce, when would you announce?
What do you think, Al?
Oh, I think much later now, maybe in November.
We should have it back in a month, two months.
I think a month.
What do you want?
I would like to announce it a month in advance.
I'd like to work with Morty Stans and Jerry.
Fine.
You work out with Morty Stans.
You work out with Morty and Jerry.
When do you like to have an announcement and so forth?
You tell us what to do.
You work out the details.
I've never been better at it.
I think, with the Dutch, and I think that they're, well, they're very impressed with you and the job you're doing, particularly in the last six or eight months.
Whatever it is, it doesn't matter.
No, sir.
No, no, no.
Bill, you got a money clip?
One of my money clips now I have.
Yes, I did.
These are new.
These are the best they can give away.
And it's a presidential seal.
And it's only for the greatest money.
Good to see you.
Good to see you.

NARA Description

On January 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander M. Haig, Jr., and J. William Middendorf, II met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:05 pm to 12:08 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 656-012 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 656-12

Date: January 26, 1972
Time: 12:05 pm - 12:08 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and J. William Middendorf, II.
[Recording begins while the conversation is in progress]

     Middendorf plans
         -Retirement
         -Jerry [Surname unknown]
         -Middendorf’s loan of painting [Washington crossing the Delaware] in Roosevelt

                 Room
           -William P. Rogers
           -Replacement

     Announcement of resignation
         -Timing
              -Maurice H. Stans and Jerry [Surname unknown]

     US-Dutch relations

     Presentation of gifts
          -Money clip

Middendorf and Haig left at 12:08 pm.

Also recorded on January 26, 1972

  • 656-011 12:02 PM · 27 sec — United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:02 pm and 12:05 pm.
  • 656-014 12:09 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:09 pm and 12:12 pm.
  • 019-097 12:11 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 12:11 pm.
  • 656-013 12:11 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, Ronald W. Reagan, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:11 pm.
  • 019-098 12:12 PM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 12:12 pm.
  • 656-015 12:12 PM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Cornelius A. Scott met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:12 pm.
  • 656-016 12:12 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:12 pm and 12:14 pm.
  • 019-099 12:14 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:14 pm and 12:25 pm.

All 102 conversations from January 26, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 656-012, January 26, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/656-012 (accessed October 6, 2026).