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Conversation 898-019

TapeTape 898StartTuesday, April 17, 1973 at 2:39 PMEndTuesday, April 17, 1973 at 2:40 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ehrlichman, John D.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discussed the administration's strategic position regarding legal immunity and potential grand jury indictments for individuals involved in the Watergate scandal. They reached a consensus on adopting a firm policy that excludes immunity for key figures while allowing for flexibility in cases involving corroborating evidence. This brief exchange served to finalize the President's directives for Ehrlichman to convey during his upcoming discussions with Henry Petersen at the Department of Justice.

WatergateImmunityGrand JuryHenry PetersenLegal StrategyIndictments
AudioNARA Description

On April 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and John D. Ehrlichman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 2:39 pm to 2:40 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 898-019 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 898-19
                                             -38-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     (rev. October-2011)

                                                             Conversation No. 898-19 (cont’d)

Date: April 17, 1973
Time: 2:39 pm-2:40 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with John D. Ehrlichman.

[See Conversation No. 38-86]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

But I just wanted to be sure to check the points you want with Peterson at the end of five minutes.
So one, no immunity.
However, I would say for any top, any of the top three.
In other words, so that I can, it sort of appears that if you want to give it a strong, that's okay.
See, don't you think that's a good line?
Yeah.
Okay, that I've done.
Which is charges are indicted.
Right.
Yeah.
And leave from the grand jury.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Do what you want.
I think I'll have that in strength as a position.
Please mention these four to me on the circuit.
A little quicker.
Chargers.
Chargers.
I'm glad you're going to follow the policy of subject resolution.
Is that it?
Oh, of course.
That's another way to know that.
That's my type.
And, uh, this presentation will be reduced to cooperation.
Right?
What about terminals and chargers?
Yeah, that gray area.
Yeah, and I'll say that if there's a serious corroborative charge... Yeah, all right, all right, fine, okay.
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