Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 919
Nixon White House Tape 919 (May 16, 1973)
37 conversations · Oval Office · about 7 hr 12 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Buzhardt, Haig, Bull, Ziegler
President Nixon held a brief, unscheduled meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. The discussion served as a precursor to the President's subsequent meeting with National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger. No further details regarding the specific topics or outcomes were recorded due to the lack of available transcripts or descriptive logs.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual in the Oval Office to facilitate maintenance work on the office clock. The brief encounter focused exclusively on the practical repair of the timepiece. No political or administrative matters were discussed, and the visitor departed shortly after completing the task.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the mounting political pressures of the Watergate scandal and the administration's ongoing foreign policy objectives. Nixon expressed frustration over the scandal's impact on his staff and presidential authority, while Kissinger urged the President to remain resilient, citing upcoming diplomatic successes such as the Soviet summit and nuclear treaties as the means to shift public focus. They also explored potential strategies for managing the fallout, including the possibility of a political counterattack against the press and Congress once the initial intensity of the crisis subsided.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office for a brief morning discussion. The primary purpose of the meeting was the visitor's formal request for a sit-down with White House Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. No further significant policy matters or official decisions were recorded during this short exchange.
President Nixon met with his personal valet, Manolo Sanchez, in the Oval Office. The encounter served as a brief, informal interaction between the President and a member of his domestic staff. No policy discussions or significant administrative decisions were recorded, as the meeting was limited to the provision of refreshments.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified male visitor in the Oval Office for an informal encounter. The meeting lasted less than five minutes and consisted primarily of a formal greeting. No substantive policy discussions, political developments, or specific action items were recorded during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to strategize the White House response to intensifying Watergate-related scrutiny, specifically regarding the role and credibility of former counsel John Dean. They focused on clarifying the internal investigation process and justifying previous press statements by emphasizing that Ziegler’s assurances of no White House staff involvement were based on Dean's repeated, deceptive briefings. The pair decided to shift toward an offensive communications strategy, framing the investigation as a standard administrative function performed by the counsel's office rather than a specific, top-down directive from the President.
President Nixon spoke briefly with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. The interaction served as a standard administrative step to connect the President to another party. No substantive policy matters or major political decisions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and White House counsel J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. discuss the contents of a mysterious 43-page document to determine if it involves sensitive national security matters or potential political liabilities. They deliberate on whether the information relates to domestic intelligence gathering and if it is appropriate or necessary to disclose these materials to a judge. Nixon ultimately praises Buzhardt's investigative progress and instructs him to provide a follow-up report on the document's implications.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to coordinate the President's schedule and finalize logistical arrangements. The discussion centered on confirming that a specific agreement had been reached, signaling that the administration’s immediate scheduling goals were settled. The encounter concluded with both parties agreeing that their arrangements were finalized.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig and J. Fred Buzhardt to strategize on the burgeoning Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on John Dean's possession of sensitive documents and the potential for a damaging investigation into domestic intelligence operations. The participants discussed controlling the narrative surrounding CIA and NSA involvement, maintaining the loyalty of White House staff, and managing the political fallout of ongoing testimony. Additionally, Haig briefed the President on his recent discussions with John Connally regarding potential White House personnel changes, the appointment of a special prosecutor, and the necessity of presenting a strong, defiant front against congressional and legal pressures.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified staff member regarding the scheduling of his upcoming meetings with John B. Connally and Roy L. Ash. The President specifically requested that he meet with Connally independently, deciding against a joint session with Ash. This brief interaction served to finalize the structure of his appointments for the day.
President Nixon initiates a brief administrative request, asking the White House operator to connect him to a specific party. The conversation serves solely as a routine bridge to facilitate a subsequent communication. No substantive policy matters or political discussions were addressed during this short exchange.
President Nixon and legal counsel J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. held a brief meeting to verify the status of undisclosed materials or records. Buzhardt confirmed that the requested items had been secured and reviewed, though he noted that the effort yielded unsuccessful or unproductive results. This exchange served as a status update regarding the handling of sensitive documentation amidst the unfolding Watergate investigation.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discuss the political fallout of the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on John Dean’s documents regarding 1970 domestic intelligence coordination and their classification status. They also address John B. Connally’s advocacy for a broad staff "housecleaning" that would remove figures like H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. Nixon rejects the necessity of such drastic personnel changes, particularly regarding the State Department, citing the complexity of upcoming Soviet summit negotiations.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to briefly discuss the President's upcoming schedule. The conversation concluded immediately, with the participant departing the Oval Office at the same time the recording began. No significant policy decisions or substantive developments were captured during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and John B. Connally met to discuss upcoming administration challenges, specifically focusing on the President's public relations strategy, necessary personnel changes, and impending foreign policy milestones, including the Soviet summit. Nixon expressed his determination to press forward with major international initiatives, such as nuclear non-proliferation and Middle East negotiations, despite the political turmoil caused by the Watergate scandal. Connally advised the President on restructuring White House operations, including potential staffing changes in the press office and cabinet, and recommended that Nixon adopt a more aggressive, resilient posture to regain public confidence.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified individual regarding the development of his public statement on campaign reform. The brief discussion touched upon the president's upcoming schedule and addressed logistical concerns related to taping procedures. No major policy shifts were recorded during the short exchange.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to prepare for the delivery of a formal statement regarding campaign finance reform. The discussion focused on finalizing the language and strategy for the President’s public address on the matter. The meeting concluded immediately following these preparations, signaling the administration's intent to pivot toward legislative action on electoral accountability.
President Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate their upcoming daily schedules. The discussion focused on logistical planning, specifically regarding a planned engagement with John B. Connally. No major policy decisions were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss the escalating pressures of the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the resignation of G. Bradford Cook and the potential legal exposure of William J. Casey. The President emphasized his refusal to resign, dismissed impeachment concerns, and stressed the need for the White House staff to remain resilient. They also evaluated potential personnel changes, including roles for Ron Ziegler and John Scali, and monitored Elliot Richardson's progress in selecting a Special Prosecutor.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to discuss the status of a press briefing conducted by Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. The conversation focuses on verifying whether Ziegler had already commenced his scheduled media engagement. No major policy decisions or significant developments are recorded in this brief, administrative exchange.
President Nixon held a brief, informal meeting with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office. The conversation consisted of routine pleasantries regarding the local weather and scheduling logistics for a press briefing involving Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. No substantive policy matters or major political decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, met to discuss the mounting political pressure from the Watergate scandal and strategies for maintaining a strong public image. They strategized on counter-messaging, including encouraging supporters to write letters to editors defending the administration and framing the opposition as McCarthyist. Additionally, they reviewed Nixon’s recent public appearances and discussed the need to project resilience and resolve in the face of calls for the President’s resignation.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule and administrative details regarding social events. The discussion focused on a meeting request from the Council of the Americas’ Board of Trustees, an invitation championed by Henry Kissinger that Nixon criticized for poor planning. They also addressed scheduling arrangements for a meeting with Mustafizur Rahman Siddiqui of Bangladesh, ultimately deciding to delay certain agenda items until 11:00 a.m.
President Nixon held an Oval Office meeting with an unidentified individual to discuss administrative logistics and daily scheduling. The conversation addressed the President’s personal schedule as well as the upcoming press briefing agenda for Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. Beyond these operational matters, the exchange included brief, casual dialogue regarding the placement of refreshments in the room.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss urgent personnel changes, the management of the ongoing Watergate scandal, and strategies to stabilize the administration's public and congressional standing. The conversation focused on potential replacements for high-level positions, including the FBI director and congressional liaison staff, while evaluating the performance of White House staff like Ronald Ziegler. Nixon emphasized a need for steady decision-making and resistance to panic as they navigated mounting political pressure and potential legal vulnerabilities surrounding Watergate.
President Nixon met with Nellie L. Yates to discuss the administrative management of press secretary Ronald L. Ziegler’s schedule and briefing materials. The conversation focused on the excessive length of Ziegler's briefings and the burden of reviewing lengthy, multi-page reports. No formal policy changes were enacted, but the exchange highlighted the President's frustration with the volume of documentation required for upcoming briefings.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office to review and manage the President’s upcoming schedule. They specifically discussed a scheduling conflict regarding a meeting with Treasury Secretary George P. Shultz. Additionally, Bull confirmed the timeline for a June appearance before the Council of the Americas’ Board of Trustees.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This interaction served purely administrative purposes to connect the President with a third party. No substantive policy matters or strategic discussions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Nixon met with his legal counsel, J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., to address legal strategies concerning the ongoing Watergate investigation. The discussion focused on coordinating the administration’s response to inquiries and managing the complexities of potential testimony or evidence disclosure. No specific action items are detailed in the available record, as the conversation primarily served to align legal defenses during a critical phase of the scandal.
President Nixon met with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. and Alexander Haig, Jr. to discuss the legal and political implications of recently surfaced documents, specifically those related to the "Huston Plan" and its potential connection to the Watergate burglary. They analyzed how to manage the release of this sensitive, high-level intelligence information while attempting to separate the President's role from illegal activities, such as surreptitious entries. The participants concluded that they needed to identify the exact scope of past intelligence operations and develop a strategic communication plan—possibly a white paper—to justify the programs as necessary for domestic security during a period of civil unrest.
President Nixon met with an unknown individual to receive a memorandum regarding a voluntary oil allocation program. The meeting was brief, serving primarily as a delivery point for documentation intended for the library. No further substantive policy discussions occurred during this interaction.
President Nixon and Secretary of the Treasury George Shultz met to coordinate strategy on several administrative and economic issues, including energy policy, the federal budget, and personnel appointments. Shultz briefed the President on potential voluntary allocation plans for energy and strategies for maintaining a balanced budget, while the two also discussed the political impact of the Watergate scandal and the status of ongoing grand jury investigations. Furthermore, they reviewed international development commitments and specific cabinet-level appointments, with Nixon encouraging Shultz to pursue these initiatives despite the prevailing political climate.
President Nixon met with an unidentified male visitor in the Oval Office for a brief discussion. The available documentation provides no substantive details regarding the purpose or content of the meeting beyond a recorded reference to refreshments. Consequently, no specific policy decisions or action items can be verified from this segment.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to discuss his daily agenda and official schedule. The brief interaction served primarily to coordinate administrative logistics for the President's upcoming commitments. No further details regarding the participants or specific policy decisions were recorded during this session.
Unnamed United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office to coordinate the retrieval of specific, unidentified items. The brief interaction centered on the logistics of accessing a restricted area, referenced as a door. The discussion underscores ongoing efforts to secure sensitive materials or equipment during this period of the Nixon administration.