Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Department of Defense
22 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Kissinger, Beall
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird. The brief exchange serves as an administrative bridge to facilitate direct communication between the President and the Secretary. No substantive policy discussions occur, as the conversation focuses exclusively on establishing the connection.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman briefly discussed the ongoing crisis surrounding the Lockheed Corporation's financial stability. The conversation focused on the potential resignation of Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard amidst the government's deliberations over a corporate bailout. No final policy resolution was reached during this brief exchange, which centered primarily on personnel implications regarding the Lockheed decision.
President Nixon held a discussion with an unidentified individual, during which he placed a telephone call to the Secretary of Defense. While specific details of the dialogue remain unrecorded, the interaction focused on administrative or strategic matters requiring immediate consultation with the Pentagon leadership. The call serves as a brief point of contact between the President and the Department of Defense regarding ongoing executive oversight.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird. The brief exchange served as a logistical step to initiate direct communication between the President and the Secretary on Christmas Day. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief connection request.
Henry A. Kissinger contacted the White House operator to facilitate an urgent communication with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. The brief interaction focused solely on placing the call, with the operator confirming the recipient's identity after a brief clarification. This exchange served as a logistical step to enable high-level coordination between the National Security Advisor and the Department of Defense.
Henry Kissinger contacts the White House operator to place an urgent call to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. This brief administrative interaction serves as the logistical precursor to a high-level diplomatic or military consultation between Kissinger and the Department of Defense. No policy discussions occur, as the exchange is strictly limited to the request for the connection.
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to place an urgent call to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. The primary purpose of this interaction was to facilitate direct communication with high-level defense leadership. No further discussion occurred, as the exchange was limited to the President’s request for the operator to connect him with Rush.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Admiral Arthur W. Radford. He requested that the operator contact the Department of Defense to obtain the Admiral's current telephone number to facilitate the connection. The brief exchange was focused entirely on coordinating the logistics of reaching the retired military official.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger briefly coordinated Kissinger's upcoming schedule regarding meetings with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Admiral Thomas Moorer. The President instructed Kissinger to postpone his discussions with Laird until later in the year when his workload permitted. This short exchange served primarily to manage the National Security Advisor's executive calendar amid ongoing administrative priorities.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate a telephonic connection with Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird. This administrative interaction served solely to initiate official communication between the President and the head of the Department of Defense. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon utilized time in his Executive Office Building office to dictate memoranda before requesting that the White House operator place a return call to Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird. The interaction largely focused on administrative tasks and executive communication. Following the brief telephone connection, the President resumed his dictation process.
President Nixon hosted a bipartisan group of Congressional members and Department of Defense officials in the Cabinet Room for the formal signing of HR 10670, a bill establishing a survivor benefit plan for retired military personnel. The discussion emphasized the necessity of providing military families with benefits comparable to those in the Foreign Service and other civilian sectors. The President utilized the event to express his administration's gratitude for Congressional support and to stress the importance of national respect for those serving in an all-volunteer armed force.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication between the President and the Secretary. No further policy discussions or substantive developments occurred during this exchange.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the reorganization of the administration for the upcoming second term, focusing on staffing key Cabinet and department positions. They deliberate on potential appointments, including Peter Brennan for Labor, Howard Callaway and George H.W. Bush for Commerce or other roles, and the consideration of Anne Armstrong for a Cabinet post to improve the administration's political image. Additionally, Nixon expresses his intent to prioritize strong leadership at the Department of Defense under Elliot Richardson and addresses personnel transitions involving Charles Colson, Robert Finch, and Donald Rumsfeld.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met at the Aspen Lodge at Camp David to discuss the administrative restructuring required for the upcoming second term. The brief consultation focused specifically on potential changes and personnel appointments within the Department of Defense. This meeting served as part of the broader effort to finalize key cabinet and agency leadership shifts following Nixon's reelection.
President Nixon attempted to reach Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman, who was unavailable while attending an event at the Washington National Cathedral. Upon learning of the delay, the President redirected the operator to initiate a call to Undersecretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. The conversation reflects Nixon’s efforts to conduct official business regarding the Department of Defense during the evening hours.
President Nixon and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rush discuss the administrative removal of Gordon Wade Rule, a career civil servant suspected of long-term insubordination. Because Rule holds civil service protections that prevent immediate termination, the President authorizes Rush to strip him of all official responsibilities and initiate formal disciplinary charges. The conversation underscores the administration's determination to discipline Rule despite his established influence among congressional allies.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone call to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. This brief administrative interaction served as a logistical step to establish communication with the high-ranking defense official. No substantive policy discussions occurred during this exchange beyond the successful placement of the requested call.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to connect him with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. The President specified that he did not want to interrupt Rush if he was currently at a social gathering, requesting instead that he be reached at his home if available. This call reflects the President’s attempt to establish communication with top defense leadership while stationed at Camp David.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kenneth Rush. The exchange was strictly logistical, as the President requested to be connected to Rush rather than receiving assistance from the operator for an alternative task. This brief interaction highlights the President's administrative efforts to maintain direct lines of communication with top defense officials while at Camp David.
President Nixon and Secretary of Defense-designate Elliot L. Richardson discuss the strategic messaging and format for Richardson’s upcoming visits to various military agencies. The President emphasizes the importance of boosting military morale and ensuring service secretaries and military chiefs feel included in the decision-making process. They finalize plans for a meeting the following day to discuss policy initiatives and personnel attendance, aiming to present a unified and appreciative front to the armed services.
Admiral Thomas H. Moorer called President Nixon to express support following the President's televised address regarding the Watergate scandal. The two discussed the appointment of Elliot Richardson as the new Attorney General and the subsequent vacancy within the Department of Defense. Nixon signaled his intention to recruit a successor from California to fill the leadership gap created by Richardson's move.