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Conversation 919-009

TapeTape 919StartWednesday, May 16, 1973 at 9:48 AMEndWednesday, May 16, 1973 at 9:54 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Buzhardt, J. Fred, Jr.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

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.

National SecurityDomestic IntelligenceJ. Fred BuzhardtLegal DisclosureWhite House CounselDocument Review
AudioNARA Description

On May 16, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:48 am to 9:54 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 919-009 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 919-9

Date: May 16, 1973
Time: 9:48 am - 9:54 am
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 46-75]
                                            -11-

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                    (rev. September-2012)
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Still, uh, still don't know where he worked?
Yep.
Well, what the hell is this?
Oh, it's in the domestic area, so he thinks that's embarrassing.
That's not interesting.
What's that?
Huh?
It's not related to the water game?
You sure?
What in the name of God is this?
Well, why do you think he's played this game then?
I mean a copy of what, the 43-page, all the documents.
What have you found in this, a 43-pager?
What is it, is it something the president has done or something, or that is what it is?
There was this.
You mean this is in the United States?
This?
Yeah.
So this basically, though, is the U.S., is a domestic economy.
I remember there was a meeting held at one point where I sat in the NSA and all the rest, and Hoover was there.
Hoover and the rest, and I said, look, you've got to pull it all together and get this stuff.
Well, you know, but none of it's there.
Fred, God damn it, that's not improper.
Why shouldn't you give us this?
For Christ's sake, this is on the ground.
Are you sure this is on the ground?
But I don't know what the eight sub-metals are.
What kind of capability is gathering in the United States?
But the purpose was intelligence and want the national security area out of their zone.
Sure.
But if we haven't done it, we have been out of our minds.
That's it.
I don't, I don't.
Well, it's inconceivable.
Yeah.
It's inconceivable the judge would not turn it over.
Yeah, yeah.
Oh, boy.
Well, that's a good job, Brad.
That's a good job.
At least all of our concerns about the water heater, and I'd much rather have it be this water heater than you.
Yeah.
You want to come down?
You say almost certain it's this?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Can you report today?
I'll do it.
I'll do it.
I'll do it.
Or do you want to come down?
And you, because they're closing jobs.
You can come down to the Oval Office and take a seat here.
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