Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on L. Patrick Gray
45 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ehrlichman, Haldeman, Kleindienst
President Nixon, John Mitchell, and H.R. Haldeman met to coordinate the transition of the Attorney General’s office, specifically timing Mitchell’s resignation to coincide with the President's upcoming trip to the People's Republic of China. Mitchell advocated for the simultaneous Senate confirmation of Richard Kleindienst as his successor and L. Patrick Gray as Deputy Attorney General, expressing confidence in their approval despite potential political opposition. The participants also discussed administrative matters, including the presentation of the Encyclopedia Judaica to Martha Mitchell and the political outreach efforts involving Max Fisher.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the urgent need to install loyalist oversight at the FBI following J. Edgar Hoover’s death to secure sensitive government files. They weigh the appointment of L. Patrick Gray as an interim presence against the alternative of promoting internal administrators like John Moore. Stephen B. Bull briefly joins to coordinate the logistics for a scheduled meeting with the Rebild National Park Society of Denmark.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss funeral arrangements for J. Edgar Hoover and the political strategy for appointing his successor. Nixon decided to participate in the funeral services while opting to delay the nomination of a new FBI director until after the upcoming presidential election to avoid political fallout. They concluded that L. Patrick Gray should be installed as an interim appointment without a formal long-term commitment. The two also coordinated the preparation and release of an official public statement regarding these decisions.
President Nixon met with his senior advisors and officials to manage the leadership transition at the FBI following J. Edgar Hoover’s death and to strategize regarding the upcoming Soviet summit amid the North Vietnamese invasion. The group discussed the political implications of L. Patrick Gray’s nomination as acting FBI director and debated whether to proceed with the summit given potential domestic backlash and the ongoing conflict. Ultimately, Nixon signaled his intent to project strength and maintain leadership, emphasizing that he would only cancel the summit if it demonstrably improved the prospects for ending the war in Vietnam.
President Nixon met with Teamsters leadership, including Frank E. Fitzsimmons and Charles W. Colson, to cultivate support for his administration's labor and foreign policies. The participants discussed the workability of Pay Board controls, the importance of maintaining an open line of communication between the White House and union leadership, and the necessity of resisting communist influence in both domestic labor movements and Vietnam. Additionally, the President defended his recent appointment of L. Patrick Gray to the FBI and shared anecdotes while presenting commemorative gifts to the attendees.
President Nixon directs Richard A. Moore to plant a story with major television networks or wire services to clarify the nature of his professional relationships following the recent death of J. Edgar Hoover. Nixon emphasizes the need to frame his history with Hoover as a uniquely close personal friendship while explicitly defining his relationship with acting FBI director L. Patrick Gray as strictly professional and non-political. The objective is to utilize the Hoover narrative to distance the administration from Gray and counter media speculation regarding his personal involvement with government associates.
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 and John Ehrlichman discuss the administration's stance on gun control legislation, specifically focusing on policies regarding 'Saturday night specials.' The conversation addresses potential public statements concerning the FBI and Director L. Patrick Gray's previous remarks on the issue. They deliberate on the extent of the administration's involvement in current legislative proposals and the strategic messaging required to handle the matter.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the potential reorganization of the executive branch and the status of leadership within the Justice Department. The conversation focused on the tenure of FBI Director L. Patrick Gray and Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst, specifically addressing their performance and the political ramifications of their potential retention or resignation. Ehrlichman provided updates on congressional and press reactions, while the two weighed the impact of a departmental overhaul on these personnel decisions.
President Nixon met with Richard Kleindienst and John Ehrlichman to discuss personnel matters for the second term, specifically the potential nomination of L. Patrick Gray as FBI Director and the political risks associated with his confirmation hearings regarding the Watergate scandal. The participants also evaluated potential government reorganizations, including the consolidation of narcotics enforcement resources and a proposed restructuring of the Customs, Border Patrol, and FBI investigative functions. Additionally, Nixon directed Kleindienst to pressure NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle to end television blackouts for sold-out playoff games, viewing it as a popular policy move that would benefit the public.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss various personnel and administrative matters, including the nomination of George D. Webster, potential diplomatic assignments for L. Patrick Gray and William D. Ruckelshaus, and planning for the 1973 inaugural church service. They reviewed the status of Webster's nomination amid concerns over his past financial practices and tax payments, ultimately considering alternatives. The conversation also touched upon sensitive political intelligence regarding Anna C. Chennault and 1968 election-related activities, as well as the ongoing second-term reorganization of White House staff.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull coordinate the President's schedule, specifically addressing the cancellation of a breakfast meeting with Mike Mansfield and the subsequent rescheduling of appointments. The discussion focuses on finalizing a 9:00 a.m. meeting with L. Patrick Gray, accompanied by John Ehrlichman, followed by a meeting with Sir Christopher Soames. Nixon emphasizes keeping the Gray meeting off the record while utilizing the Soames appointment as a formal reason to depart from a scheduled Cabinet meeting.
President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, and L. Patrick Gray discussed Gray’s upcoming confirmation process for the FBI directorship amidst the escalating Watergate investigation. Nixon emphasized the necessity of maintaining a relationship with the Bureau director characterized by total discipline and secure, direct communication, akin to his past interactions with J. Edgar Hoover. They deliberated on how Gray should handle hostile questioning regarding domestic wiretaps and potential illegal activities by the previous administration, ultimately deciding that Gray should meet these inquiries head-on to maintain control of the narrative.
President Nixon and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discuss the confirmation hearings of L. Patrick Gray for FBI Director, specifically focusing on the dangers of providing Congress with access to sensitive FBI files. Nixon emphasizes the need to maintain executive control over these documents, drawing parallels to the Alger Hiss case to argue that broad congressional access would set a harmful precedent. Additionally, Nixon instructs Kleindienst to guide Gray toward maintaining the image of a firm 'lawman' rather than seeking validation from the press, while also designating John Dean as the primary White House contact for the ongoing Watergate investigation.
President Nixon and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discuss strategies for handling congressional oversight and the handling of sensitive investigative files, specifically concerning L. Patrick Gray's confirmation process. Nixon emphasizes the importance of protecting the executive branch's confidentiality and warns against succumbing to pressure from the press or individual congressmen to surrender sensitive records. The President stresses that while officials should appear cooperative, they must avoid establishing precedents that would allow Congress to bypass executive privilege in future investigations.
President Nixon, H. R. Haldeman, Kenneth Cole, and Ronald Ziegler discussed administrative reactions to the ongoing occupation at Wounded Knee and the handling of the Watergate investigation. Cole clarified that the White House was distancing itself from direct management of the Wounded Knee standoff, deferring tactical control to the Justice Department and John Whitaker while maintaining a hardline stance against amnesty for the protesters until hostages are released. Additionally, the participants reviewed the status of the FBI’s Watergate inquiry and the impact of L. Patrick Gray’s testimony. Cole was tasked with providing a follow-up status report on the Bureau of Indian Affairs by the following morning.
President Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan coordinate preparations for an upcoming press conference by reviewing potential questions and developing strategic responses. They discuss handling sensitive political topics, including the monetary crisis, the Wounded Knee occupation, campaign fundraising controversies, and inquiries stemming from L. Patrick Gray’s ongoing FBI testimony regarding Watergate. The President decides to adopt a non-committal stance on active investigations, specifically regarding the Watergate and Gray hearings, to avoid prematurely addressing evolving controversies.
President Nixon and John Dean discussed the ongoing confirmation hearings for L. Patrick Gray as FBI Director, specifically focusing on the administration’s strategy to limit his cooperation with the Senate committee. They deliberated on the application of executive privilege for current and former White House staff, stressing the need for disciplined witness preparation to mirror successful tactics used in historical cases like the Alger Hiss inquiry. Additionally, Dean provided a briefing on raw FBI intelligence regarding past abuses and expressed concerns about the political reliability of certain senators, particularly Howard Baker.
President Nixon and John Dean discussed strategies for managing negative press coverage and testimony related to the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the activities of Dwight Chapin and L. Patrick Gray. They sought to frame allegations of sabotage as mere innuendo and worked to influence the Senate confirmation hearings by planting specific questions regarding the FBI's investigation into the DNC bugging. Dean confirmed he was coordinating with Senator Edward Gurney to ensure these strategic questions were introduced during the proceedings to counter the prevailing media narrative.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and John Dean met to coordinate the administration's response to mounting Watergate-related inquiries and the upcoming confirmation hearings for L. Patrick Gray as FBI Director. The group discussed the political strategy for handling tough questions, specifically deciding to maintain a firm stance on executive privilege by refusing to allow White House staff to testify formally while remaining willing to provide written information. Additionally, they debated whether to utilize damaging information held by former FBI official William C. Sullivan regarding past Democratic political abuses to shift the focus away from the White House and onto the opposition.
President Nixon and John Dean discuss the political fallout of the Senate Watergate hearings, focusing specifically on the confirmation struggles of FBI Acting Director L. Patrick Gray. The participants strategize on how to manage congressional inquiries, including the potential for a "stonewall" defense and the merits of providing a general statement to reassure administration allies. Nixon directs Dean to provide a comprehensive, private briefing the following morning to ensure the President is fully informed of the "soft spots" and potential liabilities regarding the scandal.
President Nixon and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discuss the need for Kleindienst to serve as the primary point of contact for Senator Howard Baker, who has expressed frustration over communication lapses regarding the Watergate investigation. Nixon explicitly directs Kleindienst to "babysit" Baker to ensure he receives proper guidance and stays aligned with White House strategy. Additionally, they discuss the confirmation prospects of L. Patrick Gray as FBI Director, considering potential alternatives like a judicial appointment if his Senate support falters, and confirm the details of a limited policy regarding the release of raw FBI files to the Ervin Committee.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the potential resolution of the Wounded Knee occupation, which appears to be collapsing due to reports that leadership absconded with donated funds. Ehrlichman updates the President on the scheduling of Attorney General Richard Kleindienst, noting that logistical conflicts require postponing their meeting until Kleindienst's upcoming trip to Los Angeles. Furthermore, the two coordinate a follow-up with L. Patrick Gray to address his recent silence and discuss reports provided by Senator Howard Baker.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the administration's public relations and legal strategy regarding the escalating Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the recent testimony of James McCord and the potential for staff members to be called before the grand jury. They debated the merits of issuing a formal statement to clarify the White House’s position on executive privilege and cooperation with investigators. The conversation concluded with a consensus to pursue a strategy of demonstrating full cooperation with the grand jury while proposing a structured arrangement to address the Senate's Ervin Committee concerns.
President Nixon met with his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, shortly after a meeting with John Ehrlichman to discuss administrative matters and follow-up tasks. The brief interaction focused on the handling of specific documents or copies related to ongoing discussions involving Chuck Colson’s public appearances and John Dean’s coordination with Ehrlichman regarding L. Patrick Gray. No major policy shifts were recorded, but the exchange highlights the logistical management of sensitive materials during a period of intense scrutiny over the administration's internal affairs.
President Nixon met with William Timmons and Thomas Korologos to refine their strategy for managing Congressional relations and legislative outreach. The discussion focused on diversifying the attendance at upcoming bipartisan leadership meetings to include a broader range of committee members while strategically inviting select liberal Republicans to maintain a sense of inclusivity. Additionally, the participants discussed the logistics of presenting a television set to Congress, current efforts to sustain presidential vetoes, and concerns regarding Senator Lowell Weicker’s conduct during the L. Patrick Gray confirmation hearings.
John D. Ehrlichman requested that the White House operator connect him to Acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray at his private residence. The call was initiated during a period of intense scrutiny regarding the Watergate investigation. This brief interaction served solely as a logistical effort to establish a direct, off-hours line of communication with Gray.
John D. Ehrlichman calls Acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray to warn him that John Dean is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney and disclosing information regarding sensitive materials previously entrusted to Gray. The two discuss Gray's destruction of these documents, which he claims were purely political in nature, and contemplate how to handle the inevitable scrutiny. Ehrlichman stresses the need for Gray to be prepared, as Dean's cooperation with Henry Petersen creates a significant threat to their efforts to contain the Watergate investigation.
In this extensive series of meetings and phone calls, President Nixon consults with H. R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, Richard Kleindienst, and Henry Petersen to manage the worsening political and legal fallout of the Watergate scandal. The participants deliberate on how to handle the impending revelations concerning the destruction of sensitive documents by FBI Director L. Patrick Gray, which had been previously held in the White House. Faced with intense media scrutiny and the potential for staff resignations, Nixon weighs the risks of maintaining his current team against the necessity of distancing his administration from criminal liability, ultimately deciding to project a posture of responsibility while preparing to weather further disclosures.
President Nixon and Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst discuss pending legal developments in the Daniel Ellsberg case and the potential resignation of FBI Director L. Patrick Gray. The conversation focuses on a damaging New York Times report regarding Gray's destruction of sensitive documents from E. Howard Hunt’s safe. Nixon emphasizes his commitment to transparency, tasking Kleindienst and Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen with evaluating the political and legal implications of the situation overnight.
President Nixon and Acting Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen discussed the political fallout surrounding FBI Director L. Patrick Gray’s admission that he destroyed documents related to E. Howard Hunt. The two men coordinated the timing of Gray's expected resignation and the subsequent appointment of an interim successor to minimize public damage. Additionally, they reviewed legal strategies regarding John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman, focusing on the necessity of obtaining plea deals to secure evidence and avoid potential blackmail attempts during the ongoing Watergate investigation.
President Nixon consulted with Attorney General Richard Kleindienst and Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen regarding the potential fallout from reports that acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray destroyed sensitive documents provided to him by John Dean. The group discussed how Gray should handle media inquiries and his upcoming grand jury testimony, ultimately agreeing that Gray should not resign in response to press reports but should instead wait to address the matter before the grand jury. Nixon expressed strong opposition to granting immunity to Dean, whom he blamed for the ongoing leaks and misinformation regarding the administration's involvement in the Watergate cover-up.
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 and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discuss the selection of a new acting FBI director following the resignation of L. Patrick Gray. Nixon rejects W. Mark Felt as a candidate, opting instead for William D. Ruckelshaus to ensure a clean break from the Bureau's internal conflicts. They finalize a plan for the White House to announce that the President has directed the Attorney General to appoint Ruckelshaus to the position.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to strategize on managing public perception and internal testimony regarding Watergate-related documents and investigations. They discussed ensuring that individuals like General Vernon Walters and L. Patrick Gray maintained a narrative of presidential innocence while maneuvering to leak specific, favorable information to the press to counter negative allegations. The meeting focused on controlling the dissemination of records to ensure the President was portrayed as having no prior knowledge of the scandal.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig held a strategic meeting to manage the fallout from the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on press narratives, the handling of sensitive CIA memoranda, and the upcoming testimony of administration officials. They discussed coordinating with figures like L. Patrick Gray and CIA officials to emphasize that the President had directed forceful investigations into potential intelligence leaks, rather than attempting a cover-up. The conversation centered on maintaining a firm stance on national security grounds regarding the custody of sensitive documents while countering unfavorable media interpretations of the President's past directives.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler consulted on managing public relations regarding the Watergate investigation and upcoming foreign policy developments. The discussion focused on drafting a press statement or orchestrating a strategic leak to clarify Nixon’s limited interactions with L. Patrick Gray and to refute allegations of presidential involvement in a cover-up. Additionally, they coordinated efforts to bolster support for a proposed commission on election reform by involving Republican leadership, while noting that Henry Kissinger’s recent briefings on the Soviet summit were successfully overshadowing Watergate concerns in the news cycle.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed the legal and political risks surrounding sensitive memoranda of conversation (memcons) related to the Watergate investigation and potential CIA involvement. Concerned about potential leaks and forthcoming testimony from officials like James Schlesinger and Vernon Walters, Nixon insisted that these documents remain in White House possession to protect national security and the administration's legal standing. The two also coordinated a strategy for press secretary Ronald Ziegler to counter negative narratives by emphasizing past administrations' use of wiretaps and ensuring the administration's public stance on cooperation remains consistent.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed administrative strategies for responding to the escalating Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on efforts to manage public perception and counter negative media coverage. The two reviewed press briefings given by Ronald Ziegler and strategized on how to engage political allies like John Stennis to influence legislative and public opinion. Additionally, the conversation addressed the importance of preventing the release of names linked to previous administration wiretaps, with the President asserting that such disclosures would be disastrous for innocent parties.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the administration’s strategy regarding Watergate-related documents, specifically focusing on the handling of memoranda of conversation (memcons) and the containment of information held by Vernon Walters and Richard Helms. They emphasize the necessity of maintaining a unified stance that no such records exist or will be released, framing this as a critical protection of presidential papers under the guise of national security. Furthermore, they coordinate efforts to contact L. Patrick Gray for testimony and confirm the preparation of additional materials by Leonard Garment for review at Camp David.
President Nixon consulted with Alexander Haig and Ronald Ziegler to strategize on managing the political fallout from the ongoing Watergate investigation. The discussion focused on characterizing Nixon's past communications with L. Patrick Gray and his inquiries into potential CIA involvement as legitimate efforts to uncover the facts rather than as attempts to obstruct justice. They emphasized the need to frame these interactions through the lens of national security and asserted that the President had consistently ordered a thorough, high-level investigation. The group also discussed managing potential evidence, such as memoranda of conversation (memcons), and reinforcing the narrative that John Dean was the primary source of the administration's legal difficulties.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to strategize the drafting of a White House White Paper intended to shape public perception of the Watergate scandal and address mounting allegations. The discussion focused on carefully framing the President's past communications with figures like L. Patrick Gray and Henry Petersen to emphasize that his actions were rooted in protecting national security rather than facilitating a cover-up. Nixon directed Haig to ensure the document explicitly addressed unauthorized activities involving the CIA and the Plumbers, while maintaining that the President had no prior knowledge of specific illegal acts like the break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate the framing of the President’s involvement in the Watergate scandal and its intersection with national security matters for a forthcoming speech. They discuss specific linguistic choices, such as using the term "illegal" rather than "criminal," and outline how to explain Nixon's interactions with L. Patrick Gray and Henry Petersen. The conversation emphasizes justifying the President’s actions regarding the Ellsberg case and the Plumbers by presenting these activities as legitimate national security protections.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to discuss the preparation of a timeline concerning past meetings and activities, specifically focusing on potential interactions involving L. Patrick Gray. They reviewed internal records to determine the validity of claims regarding sensitive issues, including FBI leaks and presidential conversations. The primary objective was to establish a defensive narrative by narrowing the scope of relevant events to the month of March, effectively dismissing potential concerns from preceding months.
President Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. discussed strategies for conducting a rigorous cross-examination of John Dean in anticipation of his upcoming testimony before the Ervin Committee. The President emphasized highlighting Dean’s failure to report key information to the Department of Justice, despite his regular access to officials like L. Patrick Gray and Henry Petersen. They further reviewed chronological evidence to prove that Dean’s involvement in fund-raising and obstruction predated his meetings with the President, with the goal of undermining Dean's credibility and distancing the White House from his illicit activities.