Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 929
Nixon White House Tape 929 (May 29, 1973)
19 conversations · Oval Office · about 5 hr 58 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Haig, White House photographer, Ziegler, Bull
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to discuss his upcoming schedule. During the brief interaction, Nixon explicitly prohibited the taking of photographs during the meeting. The conversation concluded with the departure of the participant shortly thereafter.
President Nixon held a brief morning meeting in the Oval Office with an unidentified individual, followed by a scheduled session with Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler. Due to the lack of a transcript, the specific substance of the discussion remains undocumented. The meeting concluded shortly after the President's initial engagement with the unknown participant.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate White House strategy regarding ongoing press relations and the escalating Watergate investigation. Nixon instructed Ziegler to maintain a firm, confident, and non-belligerent stance against press scrutiny while dismissing leaks regarding a potential presidential grand jury appearance as partisan political maneuvering. The two also discussed delegating administrative assistance to Alexander Haig and managing upcoming high-level briefings, including those led by Henry Kissinger.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and upcoming high-level meetings. The discussion centered on managing appointments with key figures, including Alexander Haig, William Timmons, and potential outreach to Senators Samuel Ervin, John McClellan, and Philip Hart. The brief exchange focused primarily on logistical planning for these engagements.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed administrative reorganization, economic strategy, and the ongoing Watergate scandal. They assessed the potential for upcoming presidential press conferences, emphasizing the need to focus on substantive issues like energy and the economy rather than reacting to prosecutorial pressures. Nixon and Haig expressed frustration with the leaked reports regarding a potential grand jury appearance, characterizing such leaks as politically motivated 'gunfights' that they intended to resist.
President Nixon coordinated the logistics for an upcoming meeting with John A. Scali, including the specific timing of the session and the necessary protocol for staff. The participants finalized plans for a press photograph to be taken during the encounter to document the meeting. Nixon provided clear instructions to his staff to be signaled when the guest was ready to be escorted into the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with Secretary of State William Rogers, UN Ambassador John Scali, and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger to discuss international affairs and the mounting pressure of the Watergate scandal. The conversation covered progress on foreign relations, including Rogers's recent trip to Latin America and planned diplomatic messaging for the Middle East, while Nixon expressed frustration with the administration's political paralysis and persistent negative media coverage. Nixon analyzed the unfolding Watergate investigations, including the role of former aides, the potential for grand jury testimony, and the necessity of managing public perceptions and congressional hearings to protect the presidency.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to strategize the administration's public relations response to the growing Watergate scandal, specifically addressing a report regarding a potential grand jury appearance by the President. They discussed coordinating with key figures like William Timmons and William Baroody Jr. to manage congressional relations and ensure the White House maintains an aggressive yet calculated defensive posture. Nixon also shared insights from a conversation with Secretary of State William P. Rogers, emphasizing the importance of projecting a steady focus on government business to counter negative media narratives.
President Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate their respective calendars. The conversation focused on the President's availability and the scheduling of Haig's upcoming commitments. No substantive policy decisions were reached during this short interaction.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss strategies for stabilizing the administration amidst the ongoing Watergate crisis and internal personnel challenges. They reviewed the results of Nixon's recent meeting with Congressional leaders and debated necessary shifts in White House staff organization, particularly concerning the influence of Roy Ash and the role of the Office of Management and Budget. A significant focus of the discussion was managing the departure of Secretary of State William P. Rogers and neutralizing the perceived lack of public confidence, with Nixon emphasizing a plan to increase his own public profile through frequent travel to engage directly with labor, farm, and industry stakeholders.
President Nixon met with Senator Edward J. Gurney and representatives from the Eighth Armored Division Association for a ceremonial event in the Oval Office. The association members presented the President with an award recognizing his leadership and contributions toward the cause of peace. In return, the President offered remarks regarding his career and the significance of the honor, and exchanged gifts with the attendees.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Caspar Weinberger and other officials to introduce Dr. Robert S. Stone as the new leader of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Nixon emphasized his expectation that Stone would prioritize research results, impose greater managerial accountability, and avoid political distractions within the agency. Additionally, the group discussed the Fiscal Year 1974 budget, specifically focusing on legislative strategy for education funding and the political challenges of securing revenue sharing in Congress.
President Nixon coordinated with an unknown associate regarding the logistics of a photo opportunity featuring journalists from the People's Republic of China. The discussion focused on minimizing press presence in the Oval Office to prioritize a controlled, singular photographic session. Nixon directed that the journalists be promptly escorted out to the press briefing area immediately following the conclusion of the session.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger and a delegation of journalists from the People's Republic of China to discuss the ongoing normalization of relations between the two nations. Emphasizing the importance of mutual communication, Nixon highlighted the role of the press in fostering understanding and reaffirmed his commitment to building a constructive relationship with Chinese leadership. During the visit, the President presented the delegation with commemorative pens and expressed his personal desire to visit China again during his second term.
President Nixon prepares for a meeting with General Higgins, who is en route from the State Department, to discuss scheduling matters involving Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The President indicates that the administration is awaiting a collective response from a committee. This brief coordination underscores the internal logistical planning occurring within the executive branch during this period.
President Nixon held a brief, preliminary meeting in the Oval Office to coordinate the arrival of key economic advisors, including George P. Shultz, Roy L. Ash, John B. Connally, and Arthur F. Burns. The interaction focused on confirming the attendance of these officials for a subsequent gathering. The meeting concluded quickly as the President waited for the remainder of the group to assemble.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors and staff to discuss growing concerns over inflation, the stock market, and the public's perception of the economy. The group analyzed the potential effectiveness of various measures, including a possible excise tax on gasoline, an investment tax credit, and a compulsory savings plan, while considering the political challenges of implementing such a package with Congress. Ultimately, the President decided against immediate, piecemeal action, opting instead to have his advisors develop a comprehensive economic package for review at a follow-up meeting.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to discuss the management of sensitive documents and the handling of specific files. The exchange centered on ensuring particular records were properly filed or moved, while briefly touching upon administrative concerns involving staff performance or conduct. The brief dialogue reflects the President's preoccupation with document control and the oversight of personnel matters.
President Nixon met with unidentified individuals in the Oval Office to discuss matters regarding the President’s daily schedule and administrative preparedness. The conversation focused on security protocols and the logistical planning of executive activities. No definitive policy outcomes were recorded, as the meeting concluded with the participants departing before the conclusion of the recording window.