Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 838 › Conversation 838-005

Nixon & Haldeman on Congressional relations and National security policy

Thursday, January 11, 1973 · 8:36 AM–9:04 AM ET · Oval Office · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob")Conversation838-005 on Tape 838StartThursday, January 11, 1973 at 8:36 AMEndThursday, January 11, 1973 at 9:04 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 838-005 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon directs H. R. Haldeman to facilitate a series of national security briefings for new members of Congress to bolster support for his administration's foreign policy agenda. The President intends to highlight the Nixon Doctrine, ongoing arms control negotiations, and recent diplomatic initiatives involving the Soviet Union and China. Alexander Haig and Henry Kissinger are identified as key figures to spearhead these sessions to ensure effective communication of the President's leadership and strategic vision.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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I totally agree but I realize that we can't
I want you to direct me as an extra duty for the next 60 days to take the time to give briefings to the new Congresswomen, Senators, Democrats, Republicans, and perhaps pick up some of the older ones who are our friends on our national security policies, particularly emphasizing the President's leadership, the Nixon Doctrine,
The Soviet nation is a good time, actually.
Our arms control.
Our progress is being done.
The deeper, the stronger your ship, the more effective the United Nations will take and do it better than anybody else.
We will not want to do so, and consequently we will not do it well.
Maybe there's a precedent to it.
We have got to say that to the bigger groups.
They're going to want to work, hire the right people.

NARA Description

On January 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 838-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 838-5

Date: January 11, 1973
Time: Unknown between 8:36 and 9:04 am
Location: Oval Office

The President dictated a memorandum to H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

       William E. Timmons's suggestion
              -Freshman Congressman national security briefing
                     -Henry A. Kissinger
                     -State Department
                     -Defense Department
                     -Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
                                            -4-

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                             -Memorandum from Timmons
               -Nixon Doctrine
               -Soviet and Chinese initiatives
               -Arms control
               -Vietnam
               -Leadership
               -Haig
               -Kissinger

[End of dictation]

Also recorded on January 11, 1973

  • 035-127 8:36 AM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-002 8:36 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Marjorie P. Acker met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-003 8:36 AM · 19 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-004 8:36 AM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-006 8:36 AM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-007 8:36 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-008 8:36 AM · 35 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.
  • 838-009 8:36 AM · 34 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 9:04 am.

All 63 conversations from January 11, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 838-005, January 11, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/838-005 (accessed October 11, 2026).