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Conversation 925-005

TapeTape 925StartTuesday, May 22, 1973 at 9:27 AMEndTuesday, May 22, 1973 at 9:30 AMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Burger, Warren E.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Chief Justice Warren E. Burger for a brief exchange regarding the ongoing Watergate-related legal proceedings. Nixon expressed his concerns about the fairness of public trials, specifically referencing the impact of hearsay and the treatment of individuals like John Mitchell. The President also reflected on his administrative oversight, noting that he would have acted more decisively against overzealous subordinates had he been less focused on his presidential duties.

WatergateJudiciaryDue processJohn MitchellExecutive oversightPublic trials
AudioNARA Description

On May 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Warren E. Burger met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:27 am to 9:30 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 925-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 925-5

Date: May 22, 1973
Time: 9:27 am - 9:30 am
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Warren E. Burger.

[See Conversation No. 46-138]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Oh.
Well, I just wanted to thank you for your call, which I got the number from this morning, and the way she will in her next four years.
You see, we didn't have to run for it.
Right.
Right, right.
Yeah.
That's very thoughtful.
That's very thoughtful.
And let me just say, I know you, as a great jurist, probably, and as a politician, are actually concerned about the, oh, that it will pass and I will survive.
I just want you to know that.
You know, this thing is, though, without a person getting too into it, but as a lawyer, as a judge, it must just shock you to see this whole trial in the public, you know.
I'm better than leaving out John Mitchell and calling him a nerd.
But even the trial of the president, you know, today.
Well, no, I think they were right to whack him.
But, you know, I didn't see how these guys could get a fair trial, you know.
They're all about getting evicted.
You know, the hearsay and all that.
Some days, somebody doesn't have to have one of those problems.
You know, you get to see, oh my God, you see all these, everybody, we bring you to the chamber.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, let me say that the main thing is, the main thing is that we'll pass.
My heart goes out to those people who, with the best of intentions, are overzealous.
But as I'm sure you know, I'll tell you, if I could have spent a little more time being a politician last year, and one less time being president, I would have kicked their butts out.
But I didn't know where we were going.
There we go.
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