Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on FBI investigation
16 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Colson, Clawson
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the legal strategy regarding the New York Times' publication of the Pentagon Papers and the potential risks of initiating a grand jury investigation. They express concern over the possibility of an adverse court ruling during the temporary restraining order period and the optics of halting a grand jury process prematurely. Consequently, they decide to coordinate with Attorney General John Mitchell to assess the timing of the legal proceedings while allowing the FBI investigation into the source of the leak to continue vigorously.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed the timing and potential reaction to an upcoming Vietnam troop withdrawal announcement, as well as the agenda for a National Security Council meeting focused on the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). They also addressed the handling of a Daniel Schorr FBI investigation and the public relations strategy for Julie Nixon Eisenhower's speeches and schedule, including concerns about her overexposure and the need for better coordination between the East and West Wings. Additionally, the conversation touched upon First Lady Pat Nixon's reluctance to participate in White House events and presidential trips.
Charles W. Colson and Kenneth W. Clawson discuss the ongoing investigation into the attempted assassination of George C. Wallace. Clawson provides intelligence updates, noting that the FBI traced the perpetrator's gun to a recent purchase in Milwaukee by Arthur H. Bremer. Colson instructs Clawson to keep him updated every 15 minutes and to ensure any new findings are immediately relayed to him at the Oval Office.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Charles Colson consulted with Attorney General Richard Kleindienst to receive updates on the investigation into the attempted assassination of George Wallace. The participants reviewed the status of the assailant, Arthur Bremer, and discussed FBI assignments regarding his custody, interrogation, and isolation. Officials expressed significant concern over potential public perception, specifically aiming to avoid any resemblance to the controversy surrounding the John F. and Robert F. Kennedy investigations.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and FBI Associate Director W. Mark Felt discussed the aftermath of the assassination attempt on George C. Wallace. The participants focused on the background of the assailant, Arthur H. Bremer, specifically exploring potential political motivations, his anti-war connections, and rumored ties to Edward M. Kennedy. The group coordinated on the FBI's investigation and the necessity of verifying these rumors to ensure accurate reporting to the President.
Following the assassination attempt on Governor George Wallace, President Nixon and his aides, including H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson, discussed strategies to manipulate public perception of the assailant's political affiliations. They explicitly directed staff to leak a story portraying the gunman as a supporter of Democratic candidates George McGovern and Edward Kennedy to associate the act with the political left. Additionally, the President reviewed the security implications for his own public appearances and coordinated with John Connally regarding future travel assignments.
President Nixon and FBI Associate Director W. Mark Felt discussed the status of the investigation into the attempted assassination of Governor George Wallace by Arthur H. Bremer. They reviewed evidence recovered from Bremer's apartment, including his writings, and examined the suspect's background, including prior arrests. The President emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, specifically drawing parallels to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and sought updates on the identification and containment of potential accomplices.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss the investigation into Arthur Bremer, the assailant who shot George Wallace, with a particular focus on his potential political affiliations and motives. They assess the efficacy of FBI Director L. Patrick Gray’s investigation and strategize on how to manage public perception regarding the shooter's ideological leanings and the broader implications for gun control. Additionally, the pair reviews Wallace’s medical prognosis and evaluates the domestic political climate concerning the President's Vietnam policies and the upcoming Moscow summit.
President Nixon, Joe D. Waggonner, Jr., and H. R. Haldeman discussed the immediate aftermath of the assassination attempt on Governor George Wallace. The conversation centered on the status of the investigation into Arthur H. Bremer, including concerns regarding evidence recovered from his apartment and the coordination between the FBI and Secret Service. Furthermore, the participants evaluated the medical prognosis of Wallace following his surgery and debated the political and physical propriety of a presidential visit to the hospital.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss the ongoing fallout from the Watergate break-in, specifically the FBI's investigation and the risks of it uncovering CIA connections or sensitive political associations. The participants analyzed the political landscape and current polling data to strategize for the upcoming election against George McGovern. They ultimately decided to prioritize aggressive negative campaigning against McGovern, concluding that focusing on the opponent's weaknesses was more effective for swaying undecided voters than emphasizing the administration's own policy achievements.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and Henry Kissinger to discuss sensitive political and national security matters, specifically the ongoing Watergate investigation and Vietnam peace negotiations. The group reviewed the potential for indictments involving Jeb Stuart Magruder and examined the strategic handling of federal investigations to protect the White House from entanglement. Additionally, the President and Kissinger discussed managing domestic opposition to the war, coordinating press strategy, and preparing for an upcoming meeting with congressional leaders regarding Vietnam.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the media reception of recent political messaging and the strategic necessity of repetitive public attacks regarding the FBI investigation. They specifically evaluate the political optics of Roger [likely William P. Rogers] and the potential involvement of Clark MacGregor in managing these narratives. The conversation emphasizes the importance of controlling the public discourse by consistently reinforcing key talking points to ensure they gain sufficient traction.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss strategies to neutralize political controversies regarding the administration's Soviet grain deals and ongoing 1972 campaign developments. They agree to expedite an FBI report to clear any suspicions of scandal while emphasizing the economic benefits of grain sales to farmers. Additionally, they discuss the campaign performance of George McGovern, noting with satisfaction the negative confrontations he has faced during plant visits, particularly regarding his stance on amnesty and Vietnam policy.
President Nixon and John Dean discussed strategies for managing the Watergate investigation and the upcoming sentencing of the burglars by Judge John Sirica. They reviewed the successful negotiation with the Ervin Committee regarding access to FBI files and considered drafting a general, non-specific public statement to bolster the President's claims of White House innocence. Nixon also directed Dean to prepare a full disclosure regarding Donald Segretti, viewing it as a way to demonstrate a forthcoming posture while distancing the White House from the core Watergate scandal.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to strategize on limiting the scope of documents provided to FBI agents currently stationed at the White House for the Watergate investigation. Nixon expressed deep frustration with the broad language of proposed document requests, which he deemed overly restrictive regarding his personal papers and presidential staff memoranda. He directed Bull to ensure that all national security files and executive privilege materials remain protected, explicitly ordering that the language of the document releases be narrowed to exclude his private files and sensitive national security records.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the administration's public response to ongoing Watergate-related pressures, specifically addressing critical statements made by William D. Ruckelshaus. They discuss drafting a formal White House statement intended to emphasize the administration's cooperation with the FBI. The two men also strategize on how to frame internal narratives regarding John D. Ehrlichman and the handling of the investigation to minimize political damage.