Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 719
Nixon White House Tape 719 (May 4, 1972)
23 conversations · Oval Office
Featuring Nixon, Butterfield, Bull, Haldeman, Woods
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discuss the aggressive tactics employed by a newly appointed general in Fort Worth to restore order. The general reportedly secured the area by deploying armed scout cars and issuing a lethal-force ultimatum against unauthorized personnel. The exchange highlights the President's interest in this swift, albeit extreme, approach to resolving civil disturbances.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to receive a tactical update on the North Vietnamese spring offensive and to discuss the strategic importance of holding Hue. They reviewed the effectiveness of U.S. air strikes and naval gunfire against North Vietnamese forces, as well as the progress of ARVN counterattacks in various military regions. Additionally, Nixon expressed frustration with negative press reporting in South Vietnam and emphasized the symbolic necessity of defending Hue, while Haig reported on his efforts to secure congressional support for the administration's military policies.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to dictate a eulogy honoring the late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. The President reflected on Hoover's non-partisan career and noted that both Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson had advised him to retain Hoover as director. The brief meeting also included a peripheral discussion regarding the medical expenses for a knee operation for staff member Manolo Sanchez.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors, including H. R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger, to navigate the intensifying North Vietnamese offensive and its implications for the upcoming Soviet Summit. The group deliberated on military strategies—including the possibility of a naval blockade—and analyzed the political risks of cancelling the summit versus the need to maintain a firm negotiating stance. A key action item involved coordinating with John Connally to assess the administration's response to these crises, while also addressing concerns regarding domestic political fallout, press coverage, and security preparations for the upcoming national political conventions.
President Nixon met in the Oval Office to rehearse and refine the delivery of his eulogy for J. Edgar Hoover. He practiced specific passages characterizing the late FBI Director as a national giant who set a noble standard for the country. This preparation served to finalize the formal remarks he would deliver to honor Hoover’s legacy.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate administrative logistics and scheduling regarding key staff members. The discussion focused on the movement and availability of H. R. Haldeman, specifically concerning his meeting with John D. Ehrlichman. No further policy developments were recorded during this brief encounter before Butterfield’s departure.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed the political implications of the upcoming Soviet summit in light of the ongoing North Vietnam offensive. Nixon rehearsed his eulogy for J. Edgar Hoover before deliberating with Haldeman on whether to cancel or postpone the summit to avoid domestic political fallout from Democrats and election-year critics. They weighed the strategic risks of proceeding with negotiations against the potential for a foreign policy victory, ultimately considering the possibility of a post-election meeting.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, and Alexander Butterfield discuss the administration's strategic response to the Vietnam War, focusing on public support for a naval blockade and the conditions for a potential ceasefire. The participants deliberate on the political optics of nominating L. Patrick Gray III as FBI director, weighing the risks of appointing a political associate versus an independent candidate. Additionally, they address logistical preparations for J. Edgar Hoover’s upcoming funeral, specifically concerns regarding lighting for television coverage.
President Richard Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to rehearse his eulogy for J. Edgar Hoover and coordinate the logistical details of the upcoming funeral service. They reviewed the ceremonial sequence, including the recessional order, specific camera positioning for television coverage, and seating arrangements for notable guests like Mamie Eisenhower and the L. Patrick Grays. This preparation ensured that both the President's delivery and the procedural movements of the dignitary participants would proceed smoothly during the high-profile memorial.
Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office to coordinate administrative logistics or manage the distribution of internal documents. Although a specific transcript is unavailable, the discussion centered on the handling of formal White House materials, possibly involving a figure identified as Larry Robinson. The meeting concluded with both men departing the office, marking the finalization of their procedural review.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate logistical details and scheduling for upcoming official appointments. The discussion focused on finalizing arrangements for an Oval Office meeting with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and a separate session involving L. Patrick Gray III, his wife, and a photographer. These administrative preparations ensured the President’s midday itinerary remained organized and prepared for media documentation.
President Nixon met with acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray III and his wife shortly after the death of J. Edgar Hoover to discuss strategy for Gray's permanent nomination. Nixon provided detailed counsel on managing the press, explicitly warning Gray to avoid adversarial news organizations like CBS and the New York Times while maintaining a tough, professional persona similar to Hoover's. The President emphasized the need to build staff morale through personal outreach and advised Gray to project a professional, rather than personal, relationship with the White House to deflect political criticism.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to discuss the administrative handling of upcoming meetings with labor officials, including Frank E. Fitzsimmons. The discussion emphasized the President's desire to keep the FBI strictly out of political matters and addressed the coordination of paperwork involving Charles W. Colson. Nixon instructed Butterfield to ensure that certain executive board actions were finalized promptly once the necessary documentation was received.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified individual regarding the current location and availability of John B. Connally. The brief discussion focused on facilitating a necessary follow-up communication with Connally. The President ultimately requested that a return call be placed to locate him.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and others to debrief on the funeral services for J. Edgar Hoover, discussing the reception of his own eulogy and the appropriateness of the Rev. Edward L.R. Elson's actions. The President expressed relief that Hoover passed away when he did, sparing him from potentially damaging political fallout during the upcoming election cycle and the persistent attacks from critics like Jack Anderson. The conversation concluded with administrative logistics, including scheduling, staff concerns, and the work habits of White House support personnel.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and manage upcoming appointments. The discussion focused on logistics for meetings with Frank E. Fitzsimmons and Nellie L. Yates. Additionally, Nixon provided specific instructions for Bull to relay to Charles W. Colson.
President Nixon met with Nellie L. Yates in the Oval Office to discuss routine administrative and social matters. The brief conversation covered the care and maintenance of a plant in the office, a missed photograph opportunity involving White House secretaries, and an exchange regarding a potential trip to Florida. The President concluded the meeting by expressing an intention to reschedule Yates for a future excursion.
President Nixon met with Alexander P. Butterfield to coordinate logistics for an upcoming meeting with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The discussion focused on the distribution of official gifts, specifically money clips and ashtrays, to the attendees. Additionally, the pair reviewed Charles W. Colson's schedule to ensure the event remained on track.
President Nixon met with Teamsters leadership, including Frank E. Fitzsimmons and Charles W. Colson, to cultivate support for his administration's labor and foreign policies. The participants discussed the workability of Pay Board controls, the importance of maintaining an open line of communication between the White House and union leadership, and the necessity of resisting communist influence in both domestic labor movements and Vietnam. Additionally, the President defended his recent appointment of L. Patrick Gray to the FBI and shared anecdotes while presenting commemorative gifts to the attendees.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to discuss the distribution of presidential gifts, including ashtrays, intended for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. They briefly touched upon the logistics and costs associated with these tokens of appreciation. The discussion also involved lighthearted personal exchanges regarding the President's upcoming weekend recreational plans.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield held a brief, informal meeting in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule and administrative logistics. The discussion touched upon the scheduling of meetings with H.R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler, as well as the timing of an announcement regarding L. Patrick Gray III. The participants also briefly exchanged remarks concerning public perception and the management of office materials.
President Nixon consulted with H. R. Haldeman regarding strategic advice from John Connally concerning the escalating Vietnam War and the upcoming Soviet summit. Connally strongly urged the President to prioritize winning the war through intensified bombing and a potential blockade, while advising that the United States should not unilaterally cancel the summit, instead forcing the Soviet Union to take that responsibility. The participants discussed the political necessity of projecting strength and the minimal impact of public backlash, while also briefly reviewing the logistics and positive reception of President Nixon’s recent eulogy for J. Edgar Hoover.
Secret Service agents discussed domestic political sentiment regarding the President’s handling of the Vietnam War and the upcoming Moscow summit. The participants reviewed internal polling data indicating strong public support for the bombing of North Vietnam despite the ongoing conflict. They ultimately advised against canceling the summit, arguing that public opinion favored maintaining the diplomatic engagement regardless of the military situation in Southeast Asia.