President Nixon directed Alexander Haig to contact H.R. Haldeman regarding his recent meeting with Richard Helms, Vernon Walters, and John Ehrlichman. Nixon expressed frustration over the perception of a cover-up and instructed Haig to reassure Haldeman that their actions were based on presidential directives to investigate the matter. The discussion highlights Nixon’s effort to manage the fallout of the Watergate scandal by ensuring his staff remained firm in their defense against the ongoing investigation.
On May 16, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 5:22 pm and 5:25 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 920-004 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 920-4
Date: May 16, 1973
Time: Unknown between 5:22 pm and 5:25 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
Watergate
-Haig’s possible call to H. R. Haldeman
-Haldeman’s meeting with Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters, Richard M. Helms
and John D. Ehrlichman
-8-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. August-2011)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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.