Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 861 › Conversation 861-015
Nixon, Washington & Ehrlichman on Swearing-in ceremony and Bicentennial
Thursday, February 22, 1973 · 12:23 PM–12:32 PM ET · Oval Office · 11 min
AI Summary
President Nixon met with D.C. Mayor Walter E. Washington, his family, and staff in the Oval Office to conduct a ceremonial swearing-in for the Mayor's third term. The President praised Washington's leadership, specifically highlighting improvements in city safety and the Mayor's diplomatic role in hosting international dignitaries. The participants also engaged in a photo session and exchanged lighthearted remarks about the upcoming Bicentennial and the Washington Redskins.
- Walter E. Washington
- Swearing-in ceremony
- Washington D.C. governance
- Bicentennial
- Presidential remarks
Audio
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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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NARA Description
On February 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, John D. Ehrlichman, Walter E. Washington, Egil ("Bud") Krogh, Jr., Frank Frazier, William Bullock, Portial Bullock, Wilhelmina Thomas, Joseph Bullock, Mrs. Joseph Bullock, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:23 pm to 12:32 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 861-015 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 861-15
Date: February 22, 1973
Time: 12:23 pm - 12:32 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Walter E. Washington, Mrs. Walter E. [Bennetta (Bullock)] Washington,
Egil Krogh, Jr., John D. Ehrlichman, William Bullock, Portial Bullock, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph
Bullock, Frances Frazier and Wilhelmina Thomas; members of the press, the White House
photographer and Stephen B. Bull were present at the beginning of the meeting.
Photo session
-Lineup for photo
[General conversation]
Introduction of President
Bible
Swearing-in ceremony
-Administration of oath
The President's remarks
-George Washington's birthday
-Mayor's term in office
-22-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Conversation No. 861-15 (cont’d)
-Washington, DC
-Pride of inhabitants
-Safety
-Beauty
-Leadership of mayor
-Bicentennial celebration
Walter Washington
-Past service
-Consideration for Federal positions
-Heads of state
-Mrs. Washington
-Importance of present position
Washington's remarks
-The President's help for the city
-Washington's third term
Washington Redskins
-Superbowl
Photo session
-Judge
Appreciation
-Judge
-Walter Washington
Presentation of gifts
-Tie bar
Washington, et al., left at 12:32 pm.
-23-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUMAlso recorded on February 22, 1973
- 861-013 11:37 AM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:37 am and 11:47 am.
- 861-014 11:47 AM · 33 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Charles S. Rhyne, Stephen B. Bull, John D. Ehrlichman, White House photographer, Norton Clapp, John Claerhout, George Freeman, Charles Marchetti, Randolph Scott, Gregory L. Beck, Sylvia Elizabeth Foster, Peter Guastella, Alan R. Johnson, Willis J. Johnson, Frank Nilson Martino, Jr., John Mason, Stanley Roach, John Scholten, Rich Stone, Harry Tobin, Timothy David Todd, William Lee England, Paul R. Ried, Amilcar Matos Perez, and Richard Louis Toler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:47 am to 12:21 pm.
- 861-021 12:21 PM · 35 sec — Stephen B. Bull and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:21 pm and 12:23 pm.
- 861-016 12:33 PM · 9 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:33 pm to 12:42 pm.
- 861-017 12:42 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:42 pm and 12:44 pm.
- 861-018 12:44 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:44 pm to 12:46 pm.
- 861-019 12:46 PM · 22 min — President Richard M. Nixon, William E. Timmons, Henry A. Kissinger, Stephen B. Bull, White House operator, and William P. Rogers met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:46 pm to 1:08 pm.
- 861-020 1:08 PM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:08 pm and 1:12 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 861-015, February 22, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/861-015 (accessed October 1, 2026).