Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Leonard Garment
31 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Ziegler, Haig
These are conversations about Leonard Garment. For the 46 conversations Garment took part in, see Leonard Garment’s page →
When Leonard Garment comes up
Related topics: WatergateWhite House operationsPresidential schedulingPresidential communicationWhite House staffWhite House administrationJ. Fred Buzhardt Jr.William P. RogersJohn D. EhrlichmanH. R. HaldemanStaff coordinationSchedulingPublic relations strategyPublic relations
On February 27, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:57 am and 11:58 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 459-003 of the White House Tapes.
On March 5, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:40 am and 10:41 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 462-008 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Alexander Butterfield to coordinate the logistics for his attendance at Thomas E. Dewey's funeral and to prepare correspondence for female members of the press. The discussion also turned to the administration’s public relations strategy, with the President evaluating the effectiveness of staff members like Leonard Garment in managing media narratives. Nixon emphasized the need for a more persuasive, "bullshitting" approach to public relations to better compete in the political landscape.
On May 14, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:58 am and 10:00 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 499-007 of the White House Tapes.
On May 26, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:18 pm and 3:30 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 003-137 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon called jazz legend Duke Ellington to offer well wishes for his upcoming diplomatic trip to the Soviet Union. The President also provided an update on his administration's efforts to facilitate the logistics for a Youth Symphony project spearheaded by Leonard Garment. The call concluded with an exchange of mutual appreciation regarding the success of a recent White House event honoring Ellington.
On June 30, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 2:31 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 006-050 of the White House Tapes.
On November 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:55 am and 11:57 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-086 of the White House Tapes.
On November 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:55 am and 11:57 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 033-087 of the White House Tapes.
In this telephone call, Bob Hope offers birthday greetings to President Nixon and discusses his recent USO tours, including positive feedback from military leadership regarding the President’s Vietnam policy. Hope also expresses his disapproval of congressional anti-war efforts and advocates for the President to award Adolph Zukor the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Nixon directs Hope to coordinate the Zukor recommendation with Leonard Garment and agrees to watch Hope’s upcoming television special after being prompted by a reminder.
On January 9, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 2:39 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 035-110 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon consulted with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to finalize the scheduling and attendance details for his upcoming meetings. They confirmed that Congressman Donald E. Young and Lucy Ferguson would follow a meeting with Max M. Fisher, with Nixon approving the request for Leonard Garment to join the discussion with Fisher. Finally, the President directed that these meetings be held in his office rather than the Oval Office.
On April 9, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 2:39 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-112 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss a strategy to avoid a high-profile, public confrontation regarding John Dean by refusing to send him to testify before the Senate. They decide that Leonard Garment should adopt a hard line, offering only written interrogatories and sworn statements instead of a television appearance. Additionally, they discuss economic policy, specifically the need for a more effective public spokesperson than George Shultz, and agree to wait for a memorandum from Pierre Rinfret before finalizing administration economic papers.
President Nixon and John Dean discussed the Watergate investigation, specifically the approach being taken by Leonard Garment and the potential impact of public statements. Nixon expressed concern about damaging the case, referencing a conversation with Henry Petersen and the reluctance to make statements that could be misconstrued. They also touched upon Jeb Stuart Magruder's upcoming statement and the judicial procedures involved, with Nixon asking Dean to research the constitutional implications of confessing in open court. Nixon encouraged Dean, acknowledging the difficult circumstances.
On April 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:25 am and 9:30 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 898-003 of the White House Tapes.
On April 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:20 pm and 2:30 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 898-016 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon directed Stephen B. Bull to instruct Leonard Garment to revise a memorandum regarding access to the personal papers of H.R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman. Expressing shock and disappointment at the breadth of the proposal, the President insisted that the documents be protected rather than opened to FBI scrutiny, explicitly stating that his former aides were not defendants. The conversation also touched upon coordinating the President’s concerns with Secretary of State William P. Rogers's schedule.
President Nixon directs Stephen Bull to instruct Leonard Garment to revise a memorandum regarding access to presidential papers, which Nixon deems overly broad and legally intrusive. Nixon asserts ownership over his personal and national security files, refusing to allow them to be subjected to subpoenas or FBI seizure. Furthermore, Nixon expresses his frustration with Garment's handling of the matter and tasks Bull with pressuring Garment to produce a more appropriate document by his 2:30 p.m. deadline.
President Nixon instructed Stephen B. Bull to establish firm control over White House staff files, asserting that all correspondence between himself and his staff—particularly regarding national security—belongs exclusively to the President rather than individual staff members. This directive was intended to clarify ownership protocols in response to a memorandum drafted by Leonard Garment. Bull was tasked with revising the document to reflect the President's position for subsequent review by William P. Rogers.
President Nixon directs his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to ensure that a memorandum authored by Leonard Garment is revised to explicitly assert the President's personal ownership of presidential papers and national security funds. Expressing intense frustration with Garment’s approach, Nixon dismisses the memorandum's cosmetic focus and demands that his staff not be portrayed as criminals. He threatens to fire his entire staff if these instructions regarding the document's substance and tone are not immediately executed.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the fallout from recent press briefings regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the handling of FBI file processing and the resignations of H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. Nixon expresses intense frustration toward Leonard Garment, threatening to fire him for a memorandum that allegedly cast his former aides in a criminal light. Ziegler reports on the press's current disposition and the established communication boundaries regarding the authority of Elliot Richardson. The call concludes with Nixon instructing Ziegler to keep an upcoming Cabinet meeting brief and to frame the proceedings as a standard administrative transition.
On May 9, 1973, Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:31 pm and 3:55 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-171 of the White House Tapes.
On May 9, 1973, Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 6:55 pm and 7:55 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-182 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon consulted with an unidentified staff member regarding the preparation of a forthcoming Sunday night television address. The discussion focused on the necessary length of the speech, with the President specifying a fifteen-minute duration to ensure effective delivery. Nixon emphasized the importance of coordinating the message with advisors Leonard Garment and William P. Rogers while considering the political implications for Congress.
Alexander M. Haig, Jr. updates President Nixon on his discussions with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. regarding recent legal meetings involving H.R. Haldeman’s counsel and Horace "Chappie" Rose. The conversation centers on clarifying Rose’s level of involvement in these meetings and addressing internal anxieties regarding potential misinformation conveyed by Leonard Garment. Nixon and Haig conclude by reaffirming their trust in Rose’s integrity while seeking to minimize staff tensions regarding the handling of sensitive information.
President Nixon and Leonard Garment, coordinated by Ronald Ziegler, discuss the administration's frustration with the Senate Watergate Committee's delay in addressing false allegations that the President stole $1 million in campaign funds. Garment reports on his unsuccessful efforts to reach Senators Sam Ervin and Howard Baker, while Nixon aggressively instructs him to pressure Fred Thompson for swifter action. They conclude that the committee's inability to promptly deny these claims provides the White House with a strategic political advantage.
On May 14, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:27 pm and 8:15 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-038 of the White House Tapes.
On May 14, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:33 pm and 9:40 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-047 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinate the rollout of an upcoming White House statement regarding the Watergate scandal. The discussion focuses on the strategy for a press briefing, which will include Leonard Garment and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., intended to project a relaxed and positive image. Nixon emphasizes that the staff must maintain a firm conviction in the truthfulness of the forthcoming statement before scheduling a follow-up meeting to finalize implementation details.
President Nixon directs J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. to coordinate with Leonard Garment regarding a confrontational response to Senate counsel Samuel Dash concerning leaked information about White House cooperation with the Watergate investigation. Nixon emphasizes that the administration must manage public perception and media narratives regarding the release of materials, rather than focusing on logistical logs. The President instructs Buzhardt to demand a public statement from Dash, threatening that the White House will initiate a critical media campaign if the administration's cooperation is not properly acknowledged.