Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 912
Nixon White House Tape 912 (May 8, 1973)
19 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 11 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Haig, Sanchez
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to discuss the fulfillment of an unspecified assigned mission. Ronald L. Ziegler was also present during the brief encounter. The discussion remained focused on the successful execution of this objective, though the specific nature of the task remains unrecorded.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler met to strategize on public relations and legal defenses regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation. The discussion focused on managing the narrative surrounding the President's knowledge of the break-in and subsequent cover-up, specifically preparing for potential testimony from John Dean and handling allegations from the press. They evaluated the potential impact of various staffing changes within the White House and considered how to utilize positive Harris poll data to project strength and stability despite the crisis.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to strategize on administration personnel shifts, specifically focusing on calming cabinet anxieties and implementing a 'paced' approach to management rather than sudden, spectacular changes. They finalized the appointments of William E. Colby to the CIA and planned the selection of a professional to lead the FBI, while weighing the potential involvement of John Connally and Horace 'Chappie' Rose to stabilize the White House staff. Nixon expressed a desire to maintain administrative continuity, manage the ongoing Watergate fallout by delegating legal inquiries to the Justice Department, and prepare for an upcoming Cabinet meeting to reinforce government stability.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling of upcoming meetings, including a Republican fundraising dinner and a Cabinet gathering. The discussion focused on managing sensitive introductions by high-ranking officials and determining the guest list for the President's internal briefings. Ultimately, Nixon decided to cancel his meeting with the GOP leadership and rejected a proposal to receive an emissary from Bangladesh.
President Nixon met with an unidentified male visitor in the Oval Office to receive a confidential message from General Brent G. Scowcroft. The brief exchange focused on the delivery and potential discussion of this intelligence or diplomatic update. No further details regarding the substance of the message were recorded before the visitor departed.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to coordinate office security and privacy measures. The President explicitly instructed Ziegler to hide as the unidentified visitor departed the Oval Office. This exchange highlights the administration's efforts to maintain secrecy and control access to the President during the height of the Watergate investigations.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate the administration's public messaging strategy regarding the Watergate scandal and upcoming staff transitions. Nixon instructed Ziegler to adopt a firm, non-elaborative stance when answering press inquiries about allegations made by John Dean, characterizing Dean as a "mad dog" whose claims should be downplayed to maintain focus on governance. The two also discussed the confirmation of Elliot Richardson and the appointment of new leadership within the CIA and the Department of Defense.
President Nixon met with his valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office for a brief, informal interaction. The discussion was centered on the provision of refreshments. No significant policy decisions or administrative actions were recorded during this segment of the meeting.
President Nixon met with an unknown visitor to prepare for an upcoming reception involving Congressman Edward P. Boland and PepsiCo CEO Donald M. Kendall. The session centered on a ceremonial appearance by the legendary soccer player Pelé, who intended to present the President with an autographed soccer ball. The discussion served as a logistical briefing to coordinate the formal presentation, photograph opportunity, and brief meeting schedule.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and an unknown guest to finalize logistical arrangements for his upcoming schedule and various high-profile public appearances. Key discussions included planning for a visit from Haile Selassie, a forthcoming Republican fundraising dinner featuring John B. Connally, and preparations for a cabinet meeting. The participants also addressed the unfortunate theft of a gold medal belonging to soccer star Pelé, which had been intended for presentation to the President.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to review the messaging surrounding the administration's stance on the Watergate scandal, specifically regarding the wording of press briefings and the parameters of executive privilege. The discussion focused on managing media inquiries concerning potential testimony from H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, the status of John Dean, and the appointment of a special prosecutor. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining that his staff should testify about their own activities while consistently affirming the President's lack of prior knowledge regarding criminal involvement.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified visitor in the Oval Office to discuss his upcoming schedule. The conversation touched upon the logistics of appointments involving Donald M. Kendall and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. Due to the limited length and unclear audio of the recording, no substantive policy decisions or action items were finalized during the exchange.
President Nixon met with Representative Edward P. Boland and a delegation of citizens from Brookfield, Massachusetts, led by Max L. Friedersdorf, to discuss the town's upcoming 300th anniversary celebration. The group engaged in casual conversation regarding local history, landmarks, and the town's tricentennial planning. During the visit, the delegation presented the President with commemorative gifts, including photographs and mementos, and extended an invitation for him to visit the town.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to confirm that logistical preparations for his daily schedule were in place. The interaction lasted for less than one minute and served primarily to finalize administrative arrangements for the President's upcoming activities. No substantive policy matters or major decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with Donald Kendall and the soccer star Pelé to promote a youth sports initiative and capture press photography. Following the public portion of the meeting, Nixon and Kendall held a private discussion regarding the worsening Watergate scandal, focusing on the need to restore public confidence through an independent investigation. Kendall advised the President to use a strategic leak to columnist Jack Anderson to communicate his frustration with his former aides, H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, while also warning Nixon about the aggressive business tactics of Armand Hammer regarding Soviet trade deals.
President Nixon held a brief, informal encounter with Nellie L. Yates in the Oval Office. The conversation consisted of casual pleasantries and minor logistics regarding transportation, likely involving a bus. No substantive policy matters or major political decisions were addressed during this short interaction.
President Nixon met with Manolo Sanchez and Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a transition to the Executive Office Building for his afternoon schedule. The group briefly addressed technical concerns regarding the functionality of a maintenance button in the Oval Office. The meeting concluded quickly as the participants departed to facilitate the President's relocation.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss ongoing personnel management and administrative transitions, as well as developing a strategy to counter potential damaging disclosures by former White House counsel John Dean. Nixon expressed concern over Dean’s access to sensitive documents and his possession of self-serving memoranda, specifically regarding a previously unacknowledged September 15, 1972, meeting. The two agreed on a strategy of limited public comment, emphasizing the necessity of protecting the presidency by framing Dean’s actions as self-interested and unreliable while maintaining a defensive posture regarding White House staff.
United States Secret Service agents convened in the Oval Office to conduct brief, routine logistical coordination regarding the President's movements. The conversation centers on confirming the departure or location of an individual, likely related to secure transportation protocols. Given the fragmentary nature of the recording, no significant policy shifts or major developments were established.