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Conversation 811-001

TapeTape 811StartWednesday, November 1, 1972 at 3:01 PMEndWednesday, November 1, 1972 at 3:04 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the potential reorganization of the executive branch and the status of leadership within the Justice Department. The conversation focused on the tenure of FBI Director L. Patrick Gray and Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst, specifically addressing their performance and the political ramifications of their potential retention or resignation. Ehrlichman provided updates on congressional and press reactions, while the two weighed the impact of a departmental overhaul on these personnel decisions.

Executive reorganizationDepartment of JusticeL. Patrick GrayRichard G. KleindienstPersonnel managementPolitical strategy
AudioNARA Description

On November 1, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 3:01 pm to 3:04 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 811-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 811-1

Date: November 1, 1972
Time: 3:01 pm-3:04 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with John D. Ehrlichman.

[The conversation was in progress when the recording began.]

       Second term reorganization
            -Unknown conversation
                   -Leak
            -Justice Department [?]
                   -Leaks
            -Justice Department
                   -L[ouis] Patrick Gray, III
                         -Retention
                         -Possible resignation
                               -Confirmation
                         -Confirmation
                         -Press and Congressional relations
                         -Richard G. Kleindienst’s view
                   -Kleindienst
                         -Retention
                               -Support from James O. Eastland
                               -Roman L. Hruska
                               -Duration
                               -Departmental “overhaul”

       Henry A. Kissinger
            -Greetings by Ehrlichman

Ehrlichman and the President left at 3:04 p.m.
                                             -2-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                       (rev. Jan.-08)
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.

Let's see how we can just see if it turns out.
I'll be sure it's good enough.
Let's see if we hit that five.
Let's see if that shows up.
Now that doesn't work quite.
I don't know where we can create something.
The other thing I can do is to just clean up the whole top.
I start over and they all squeal.
I don't just, you know, there aren't any good choices in this.
I guess that's the problem.
They'll either squiggle it wholesale or retail, you know, a little bit or a lot.
Yeah.
Yeah, the way it is, you can't have the lease today.
You're present.
It's a solution to keep the career going, you know.
He's turning out all right.
He's turning out fair.
I'll tell you who the hell is all right.
Some of you will agree.
I'm saying it's a long trade point.
Yeah.
But he's all right with that.
And...
I think you have to have a relationship with him that anytime you want him to get his resignation, I think he goes his way.
Even after he's confirmed.
I think he seems to be pretty well-received.
He's doing a lot with the press and the Congress, playing these cards.
He's attracting trouble.
Yeah.
Clint Eastwood's high.
Clint Eastwood now wants to stay the worst way.
And he's got, uh, what's his name, Haruska made the turn for him.
Why should he stay?
Well, I mean, that's what's happening.
I mean, that's the reason, that's the reason, that's the reason that he wanted to stay, obviously, is to, for a while, forever.
However, I mean, not beyond the, sort of, the possibilities indicated, so he's in a good turn.
I'm not suggesting to you that that's what should happen.
I'm just reporting to you what I'm hearing.
I see a problem with him.
You know what I mean?
Well, if it's in the total context of a major overhaul, I don't think there would be quite that problem, you know?
Right.
Right.
Okay.
Yes, sir.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
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