Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 888
Nixon White House Tape 888 (March 27, 1973)
8 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 34 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Kissinger, Haldeman, Boggs
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate an extensive list of upcoming White House events, travel logistics, and scheduling requirements. They reviewed details for California appearances, including ceremonial remarks and meetings with state legislators, while also discussing entertainment planning for a forthcoming POW dinner and official state visits. Nixon provided specific directives regarding social protocol, such as seating arrangements and head table designs, to ensure upcoming White House functions maintained an appropriate level of elegance and formality.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy for the President's upcoming public address and evaluate the status of the Vietnam settlement, including the release of prisoners of war (POWs) and ongoing military enforcement. The discussion emphasized the necessity of a strong, firm posture to deter further North Vietnamese aggression and maintain the credibility of U.S. foreign policy. Additionally, they reviewed plans for future diplomatic outreach, including potential summits with European and Latin American leaders, and discussed the political landscape surrounding the Watergate investigation.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to conduct routine administrative business in the Oval Office. The primary focus of the discussion concerned the processing of documents requiring the President’s signature and the final scheduling details for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of Congresswoman Corrine C. (“Lindy”) Boggs. The meeting concluded after these brief logistical arrangements were addressed.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the President's upcoming schedule and the political fallout from the Watergate scandal. They evaluate the necessity of a dramatic, high-level commission to investigate the scandal as a means to regain control over the narrative and counter the growing credibility crisis facing the White House, FBI, and Department of Justice. Amidst reports that key figures like Jeb Magruder and E. Howard Hunt may soon implicate senior staff, Nixon instructs Haldeman to gather facts and consult with others to manage the potential damage to his administration.
An unidentified group met with President Nixon in the Oval Office to discuss general office operations and personal professional accomplishments. The brief exchange focused on evaluating current work progress within the administration. The conversation concluded abruptly without resulting in any recorded policy decisions or specific action items.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified staff member regarding administrative arrangements for an upcoming meeting with Corinne “Lindy” Boggs. The discussion focused on scheduling logistics involving First Lady Pat Nixon, who was occupied with preparations for a California trip, and determining the appropriate size of the attendee group. They also addressed the requirements for press coverage surrounding the event.
President Nixon hosted Representative Corinne "Lindy" Boggs and her extended family for a courtesy visit and photo session in the Oval Office. The meeting served as a social engagement during which the President introduced his guests to various historical artifacts and presidential mementos located in the room. Conversations centered on casual exchanges, family introductions, and observations regarding the office's decor, including the Roosevelt seal and the Rose Garden.
Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office to conduct routine operations or security procedures. Due to the lack of substantive audio content in the transcript, no specific policy discussions, presidential decisions, or historical developments were recorded. The brief interaction reflects standard administrative presence within the Oval Office environment.