Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on John W. Dean
22 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ziegler, Buzhardt, Colson
Charles W. Colson coordinates with the White House operator to facilitate a follow-up conversation with John W. Dean, III. The brief exchange serves as a logistical arrangement to reach Dean upon his imminent arrival at the office. Colson ultimately decides to initiate the call himself once Dean is settled in ten minutes.
John D. Ehrlichman initiated a telephone call through the White House operator to contact John W. Dean, III. The interaction served as a logistical attempt to connect the two officials during a period of heightened internal scrutiny. No substantive content was recorded beyond the administrative request to facilitate this communication.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman met to strategize on managing the Watergate fallout, focusing specifically on the damaging potential of testimony from Jeb Stuart Magruder and John W. Dean. The participants discussed the risk of indictments targeting former Attorney General John Mitchell and the necessity of keeping the White House insulated from criminal implications. They weighed the merits of asserting executive privilege versus allowing witnesses to testify, while expressing concern over the U.S. Attorney’s investigation and the strategic need to contain potential revelations before the Ervin Committee hearings commenced.
President Nixon and Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen discuss the need to ensure full cooperation and transparency from individuals involved in the Watergate investigation, specifically G. Gordon Liddy. Nixon directs Petersen to convey that the President wants all parties to testify truthfully and rejects the notion that Liddy’s silence is due to presidential influence or protection. Petersen agrees to contact Liddy’s legal counsel immediately to emphasize that the President expects full disclosure from everyone involved.
President Nixon initiated a brief administrative request to the White House operator to be connected with John W. Dean, III. This phone call served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with his White House Counsel during the escalating Watergate crisis. No further policy discussion occurred during this interaction.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the evolving Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on damaging media reports regarding L. Patrick Gray and John W. Dean. They addressed allegations concerning the destruction of sensitive documents and scrutinized Dean's motives, particularly the possibility that he recorded his conversations with the President. The two also discussed personnel matters, including potential candidates to replace Gray at the FBI.
President Nixon consulted with Secretary of State William P. Rogers to coordinate a strategy for responding to the escalating Watergate scandal and to arrange a meeting at Camp David. Nixon informed Rogers that H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman were preparing to resign and that he intended to remove John Dean from his position. The President further outlined his plan to deliver a televised address to assure the public that his administration was actively investigating the matter and remaining in control.
President Nixon consulted with Secretary of State William P. Rogers regarding the impending resignations of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman amid the deepening Watergate scandal. Rogers advised Nixon against attending the meeting with his aides to maintain distance and credibility, recommending instead that the President present the resignations as a firm, unilateral decision rather than a matter for negotiation. The conversation concluded with an agreement that the two aides should resign voluntarily to maintain the 'high ground' while John W. Dean would be dismissed separately, allowing Nixon to distance himself from the scandal's fallout.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler, Alexander Haig, and Leonard Garment to manage the administration's defensive response to ongoing Watergate investigations and emerging media scrutiny regarding the President's personal finances. The group discussed the legal and political implications of recent testimony from Lt. Gen. Vernon Walters, concerns regarding potential indictments of senior staff, and the management of sensitive documents related to the Huston Plan. Nixon emphasized maintaining a strategy of resilience, rejecting the idea of constant public rebuttals, while coordinating efforts to handle inquiries from the Ervin Committee and prosecutors without further damaging the presidency.
President Nixon consulted with White House counsel J. Fred Buzhardt regarding his recent meeting with Charles Colson and the ongoing evaluation of sensitive documents provided by John W. Dean. Buzhardt confirmed that the materials matched the President's description but noted they presented significant legal or political complications. The two agreed that Buzhardt should take the necessary time to complete his assessment and prepare a formal report for the President.
President Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt discussed the status of the "Huston Plan," specifically seeking evidence that the controversial intelligence program had been formally rescinded or terminated. They aimed to locate documentation of its termination to distance the White House from the plan and counter potential allegations that it provided a legal "cover" for the Watergate break-in. Nixon and Buzhardt speculated that John W. Dean may have attempted to use the document as a retroactive justification for his actions, and they agreed to coordinate with intelligence agencies to establish a clear record of the plan's cancellation.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed the White House's strategy for navigating the ongoing Watergate scandal, emphasizing the need for a cold, calculated approach to defend the institution of the presidency rather than reacting to daily media developments. They reviewed a briefing held earlier that evening with Alexander Haig and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., affirming that staff should focus on their core responsibilities rather than self-interest or minor distractions like John Dean's media appearances. The President reiterated his commitment to standing his ground, noting that they must continue to mobilize political support while effectively managing the aftermath of removing H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman from the payroll.
President Nixon, Ronald Ziegler, and Alexander Haig met to refine the language of a forthcoming White House "White Paper" intended to address the ongoing Watergate investigation. The President focused on carefully phrasing his lack of prior knowledge regarding illegal activities or hush-money payments, while simultaneously attempting to frame his actions within the context of protecting national security operations. They discussed the necessity of maintaining a firm public stance against the congressional inquiries, with Nixon emphasizing the importance of "fighting" back to avoid the political and international consequences of appearing weak.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed the White House response to recent press leaks, likely emanating from prosecutors and the Ervin Committee, which alleged that John W. Dean had numerous meetings with the President regarding the Watergate cover-up. Nixon firmly denied the timeline of these allegations, asserting that his meetings with Dean regarding the cover-up did not begin until March 21, 1973. To address the situation, the participants planned to coordinate a strategy with White House staff, including Leonard Garment and J. Fred Buzhardt, and considered having Haldeman, Ehrlichman, and Colson issue public statements to defend the President's record.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed strategies for managing public and legal fallout following allegations from John W. Dean regarding the President's prior knowledge of the Watergate cover-up. They reviewed the timeline of Nixon's meetings with Dean to verify facts and establish a consistent defense, while weighing whether to utilize third-party surrogates to challenge Dean's credibility. The conversation concluded that the administration should avoid immediate direct confrontation with the press or Dean until they were fully prepared to neutralize his testimony or potential immunity bid.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed strategies to counter allegations made by former White House counsel John W. Dean regarding the Watergate cover-up. They focused on discrediting Dean's credibility through planted media columns, preparing a speech for Vice President Agnew, and providing information to Congressional allies like Hugh Scott. Nixon adamantly refuted specific claims about the number of meetings and alleged orders, while they planned to have Alexander Haig secure and review Dean's files to assess his activities. Additionally, the pair coordinated a shift in Ziegler’s public role and communications responsibilities to mitigate the political impact of the ongoing scandal.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Ronald L. Ziegler to conduct an administrative review and audit of the White House taping system. The participants addressed technical difficulties regarding missing or improperly recorded segments, including calls from Camp David. The discussion also touched upon high-stakes political concerns, including the ongoing Watergate investigation, the role of John W. Dean, and potential legal threats posed by the Ervin Committee and Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.
President Nixon met with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. to discuss legal strategy regarding the Watergate scandal, focusing specifically on managing the upcoming testimony of Richard A. Moore and John W. Dean. The conversation addressed the potential for Dean to secure immunity, the risks associated with various depositions, and the handling of sensitive documents related to ITT and the break-in at Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office. Nixon emphasized the importance of keeping the White House's internal documents and tapes secure while working to ensure that upcoming testimony from associates like Henry Petersen would support the administration's position.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed media treatment of the Nixon family, specifically criticizing a radio correspondents' dinner and a television appearance by Julie Nixon Eisenhower on the Phil Donahue show. Nixon expressed deep frustration with the press, mandating that Ziegler confront the responsible parties and effectively ending the President’s future attendance at social functions with the media corps. Additionally, they reviewed the Watergate investigation, focusing on John W. Dean’s recent invocation of the Fifth Amendment and developing a strategy to publicly discredit Dean’s anticipated testimony by highlighting his inconsistent accounts and potential legal liability.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed political strategy, focusing on the positive reception of the President's recent economic speech and his leadership regarding inflation. They addressed the ongoing Watergate investigation, specifically dismissing the credibility of John W. Dean and discussing the political implications of upcoming Ervin Committee testimony. Nixon also expressed significant frustration with Attorney General Elliott Richardson's recent conduct and asserted the need for administration loyalty regarding the handling of Justice Department appointments and public messaging.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met to discuss the ongoing political fallout from the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the Ervin Committee hearings and the testimony of John N. Mitchell. They assessed the performances and loyalty of various administration figures, including John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman, while criticizing media coverage of the proceedings. Additionally, the conversation touched upon the President's public relations strategy, the negative portrayal of the White House staff in the press, and general morale amidst the mounting pressures of the scandal.
President Nixon and Rose Mary Woods discussed the ongoing fallout from the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the recent Ervin Committee hearings and the testimony of John N. Mitchell. They reviewed the aggressive questioning tactics employed by Senator Lowell Weicker and compared them to the treatment of John Dean, while also discussing the President's public support and his reception during a recent trip to Kansas City. Woods reassured the President by sharing reports of positive correspondence and telephone calls from supporters, reinforcing a narrative of loyalty and resilience amidst the political pressure.