Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 928
Nixon White House Tape 928 (May 25, 1973)
13 conversations · Oval Office · about 1 hr 43 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haig, Ziegler, Kissinger
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President's upcoming schedule, focusing on coordination with Republican congressional leadership, briefings with Henry Kissinger and William Rogers, and various meetings with media and advocacy groups. They discussed the logistics for specific events, including the reception for financial writers and the presentation of a flag by Lt. Col. John Dramesi. The discussion also touched upon personal family travel plans and the television coverage of a recent POW dinner produced by Paul Keyes.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the administration's public relations strategy, focusing on countering unfavorable media coverage regarding the Watergate scandal and upcoming appearances by administration officials before the Ervin Committee. Nixon expressed frustration with the committee's procedural lack of due process, comparing its hearings to an "inquisition" and "assassination of character," while Ziegler provided updates on press reaction to the President's recent statements. They agreed to maintain a low-key, routine response to current press inquiries while preparing for a more aggressive, public pushback after the President's return from an upcoming trip to Iceland.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss the positive public reception of a recent dinner honoring returning prisoners of war (POWs), noting how the event helped frame the administration's stance on national security. The two men reviewed the favorable reactions from both attendees and celebrities, as well as the event's television coverage. Additionally, they briefly addressed personnel and logistical matters, including Haig’s upcoming travel to Florida and the potential role of Bryce Harlow as a White House advisor while navigating concerns regarding conflicts of interest.
President Nixon held a brief exchange with a White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This interaction served a purely administrative function to connect the President with an external party. No substantive policy discussions or significant political decisions occurred during this brief communication.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to briefly discuss his official schedule. The conversation included a specific reference to an upcoming meeting with National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. No other substantive policy decisions or developments were captured during this short interaction.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to discuss the administration's foreign policy challenges, specifically the ongoing Vietnam peace negotiations, the upcoming summit with France's President Pompidou, and the status of a potential nuclear war prevention treaty with the Soviet Union. Amid these international efforts, they addressed the mounting domestic political pressure from Watergate, characterizing the scandal as a politically motivated assault by liberals and the media intended to undermine the President's authority. Nixon and Kissinger agreed on the necessity of maintaining strict secrecy in diplomacy and decided that the President should adopt a more aggressive public stance to regain control of the political narrative.
President Nixon met with Lt. Col. John A. Dramesi and his wife, Adriana, to honor the returned prisoner of war following a recent commemorative event. The discussion touched upon Dramesi’s experience in captivity, the positive national impact of the returning POWs, and the family’s military service history. The President presented the couple with various commemorative gifts and discussed future social engagements and potential military career paths for the Dramesis' children.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to coordinate logistics for an upcoming speech. The discussion focused on scheduling arrangements and the necessary preparations for the President's public remarks. No further substantive details regarding policy or strategy were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the logistics for an upcoming Cabinet meeting to ensure the session is managed efficiently. Nixon directs Haig to arrange for the members to remain for a brief, additional period after the meeting concludes at noon. The discussion focuses primarily on scheduling protocol and ensuring the President has adequate time to address the group without feeling rushed.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to coordinate the attendance of Henry Kissinger at an upcoming Cabinet meeting. The primary purpose of the brief interaction was to facilitate administrative preparations for Kissinger's presence. No substantive policy matters were recorded, as the discussion focused strictly on scheduling and logistical arrangements.
President Nixon held a brief meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual to discuss his daily schedule. Due to the lack of audible or documented content beyond the meeting's existence, the specific details of the discussion remain unknown. The conversation concluded when both parties departed the office after approximately fifteen minutes.
President Nixon met with newly appointed Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson to discuss the administration of the Justice Department, personnel appointments, and the ongoing Watergate scandal. Nixon emphasized the importance of maintaining strict executive privilege regarding presidential papers while encouraging Richardson to take a proactive leadership role in national security and law enforcement issues. The two also addressed the necessity of curbing government leaks, which Nixon argued were damaging to sensitive foreign policy negotiations, including those involving the Soviet Union and China.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to coordinate the final logistics for an upcoming Cabinet meeting. The discussion focused on confirming that technical preparations, including audio and video equipment, were in place for the event. The parties confirmed that the Captain had already departed to the location to finalize the setup for the President's arrival.