Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Obstruction of justice
43 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Petersen
President Richard Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman to coordinate the administration's response to the recent break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. The discussion focused on leveraging the Central Intelligence Agency to impede the ongoing FBI investigation by claiming the inquiry threatened national security interests. This meeting resulted in a critical directive to obstruct justice, marking a pivotal moment in the administration's effort to conceal its involvement in the scandal.
In this Oval Office meeting, President Nixon, John Dean, and H.R. Haldeman discuss the escalating legal and political dangers of the Watergate scandal, which Dean characterizes as a 'cancer' growing within the administration. Dean warns that ongoing blackmail demands from the Watergate burglars and the potential for perjury among key staff members threaten to unravel the administration's containment strategy. The participants deliberate on how to manage these liabilities, weighing the high risks of continued silence against the potential fallout of a public disclosure or a new, controlled grand jury investigation.
President Nixon and Charles W. Colson discuss strategies for managing the unfolding Watergate scandal, focusing specifically on coordinating with Senator Howard Baker to ensure his loyalty while he manages the Senate committee investigation. Colson warns that White House staff involved in the cover-up, particularly John Dean, may face legal risks regarding potential charges of obstruction of justice. To mitigate these risks and provide a layer of separation from the White House, the two men evaluate the potential appointment of a respected special counsel to handle the administration's legal response.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to discuss public relations strategies and the administration's response to the growing Watergate scandal. They debated the merits of potential public addresses, such as a speech to Congress or a press conference, while assessing how to maintain control over the narrative and protect the White House from entanglement in the investigation. The conversation focused on the need for a containment strategy, the handling of sensitive campaign funds, and managing potential leaks or witness testimony, ultimately weighing the political risks of various disclosure scenarios.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman met to discuss crisis management strategies regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the mounting legal threats from the grand jury and potential criminal charges against White House staff. They evaluated the merits of appointing a special counsel and the necessity of retaining an experienced criminal defense lawyer to navigate the vulnerability of White House aides. The conversation centered on the potential danger of a 'runaway' grand jury and emphasized maintaining executive privilege while managing the perceived risk of a 'cover-up' versus the impact of full public disclosure.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to coordinate the White House's legal and public relations strategy regarding the Watergate investigations, specifically addressing the Grand Jury's scrutiny of campaign funds and potential perjury by administration staff. Ehrlichman reported on his recent discussions with Attorney General Richard Kleindienst regarding immunity policies and the legal distinctions between illegal payoffs and legitimate campaign financial practices. They weighed options for managing White House testimony, including the potential for staff to issue sworn statements, the possible departure of John Dean, and the selection of new legal counsel to navigate the impending Ervin Committee hearings.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to strategize on the worsening Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on damaging allegations against White House staff members including H.R. Haldeman, Charles Colson, and John Dean. The two discussed the threat posed by Jeb Stuart Magruder's potential cooperation with investigators and his claims regarding a tape that allegedly implicated the White House in electronic eavesdropping and obstruction of justice. They weighed options for managing these threats, including hiring an independent special counsel and potentially discrediting Magruder or other witnesses to prevent the scandal from reaching the Oval Office.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and others met to strategize regarding the escalating legal and political fallout of the Watergate scandal. The discussion centered on the decision of Jeb Stuart Magruder to cooperate with prosecutors and the potential for his testimony to implicate other high-level officials, including John Mitchell. The participants debated how to manage the public narrative, protect the President's standing, and navigate the implications of Senate hearings and grand jury proceedings while considering legal strategies for those facing impending indictments.
John D. Ehrlichman briefs Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst on his internal investigation into the Watergate scandal, specifically noting that Jeb Stuart Magruder has decided to cooperate with federal prosecutors. Ehrlichman reports that Magruder's new testimony implicates multiple high-level figures and contradicts previous statements, significantly altering the legal landscape of the case. They discuss the necessity of maintaining proper legal boundaries in information gathering, the potential appointment of a special counsel, and plans to coordinate with Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen to ensure ongoing investigations proceed without procedural errors.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to discuss the escalating legal and political fallout surrounding the Watergate scandal. The participants weighed the risks of ongoing investigations, particularly focusing on potential obstruction of justice charges against key figures like John Mitchell and the strategy of preempting further disclosures by "beating them to the punch." Nixon expressed urgency regarding the need to conclude the scandal quickly to prevent it from dominating his administration, contemplating potential resignations and the necessity of managing the public narrative.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the administration’s strategy for handling the mounting Watergate scandal, specifically debating whether to cooperate with congressional investigations or rely on the judicial process. They weigh the potential impact of high-level indictments and deliberate on the appointment of a special prosecutor to ensure the investigation remains thorough and credible. Nixon ultimately concludes that maintaining confidence in the American judicial system, rather than engaging in a high-profile public defense, is the best path to restore public trust.
Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen confers with prosecutors Earl Silbert and Charles Shaffer regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation and the credibility of key witnesses. The participants evaluate conflicting accounts from John Dean and Gordon Strachan, specifically focusing on the involvement of H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman in managing hush money and obstructing the investigation. The conversation concludes with administrative arrangements for an in-person meeting at Petersen’s home to further coordinate their legal strategy.
President Nixon and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discuss the escalating Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the emerging testimony of Jeb Stuart Magruder and the potential legal jeopardy of top White House officials H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. They weigh the necessity of appointing a special prosecutor or delegating oversight to Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen to avoid conflicts of interest, particularly given Kleindienst's close personal association with John Mitchell. The conversation highlights the administration's concern over obstruction of justice allegations and the need to restore public confidence in the Justice Department without preemptively assuming guilt or forcing resignations.
President Nixon and Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen discussed the status of negotiations with John Dean, who refused to enter a plea unless H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman were also prosecuted. Petersen briefed the President on Dean’s attempt to communicate via a note and his potential desire to meet with Ehrlichman. To resolve the matter, Nixon authorized a direct meeting with Dean to demand the full truth and agreed to pressure G. Gordon Liddy to cooperate by signaling that the President expected complete disclosure.
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 and Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen discussed securing the cooperation of G. Gordon Liddy’s attorney, Peter Maroulis, regarding the Watergate investigation. Emphasizing a desire for full disclosure, Nixon directed Petersen to instruct Maroulis that his client must reveal everything he knows about the scandal. The President preferred that Petersen handle the communication personally to maintain professional distance, though he remained willing to meet with the attorney directly if the initial effort failed to produce the desired result.
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.
John D. Ehrlichman calls Acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray III to advise him on how to handle testimony regarding a sensitive envelope containing E. Howard Hunt’s materials. Ehrlichman encourages Gray to maintain that the documents were irrelevant political papers, cautioning him against providing inconsistent testimony that could expose them to broader legal risks. The discussion underscores the escalating pressure and confusion surrounding the White House's efforts to manage the fallout from the Watergate investigation.
President Nixon consulted with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen regarding the strategic timing for the resignations of John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman amid the deepening Watergate investigation. Petersen advised the President to delay these resignations to avoid interfering with ongoing prosecutorial efforts and to ensure that potential testimony could be woven into a coherent legal narrative. The two also discussed the status of various witnesses, including Jeb Stuart Magruder, and the importance of coordinating their actions to maintain control over the evolving situation.
President Nixon met with John Dean to strategize on managing potential legal and political fallout from the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the possibility of looming indictments for top White House aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. Nixon instructed Dean to prepare resignation letters for various staff members to have on hand as a precautionary measure should evidence against them emerge. Throughout the discussion, the two navigated the distinction between criminal culpability and "technical" obstruction of justice, while attempting to craft a public relations narrative that emphasized the President’s desire to uncover the truth.
President Nixon and Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen discussed ongoing developments in the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the testimonies of key figures like Frederick LaRue, John Dean, and H.R. Haldeman. They reviewed the logistical and legal challenges of naming top aides as unindicted co-conspirators and the potential implications of Judge Sirica’s likely courtroom interrogations. Petersen updated the President on negotiations for immunity and cooperation, while Nixon expressed frustration regarding information Dean failed to disclose to him previously.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to discuss the urgent need for a strategic public relations move regarding the escalating Watergate scandal. They reviewed the growing pressure from the U.S. Attorney’s office and problematic accounts provided by John Dean, specifically regarding the destruction of evidence and the alleged involvement of Charles Colson and L. Patrick Gray. Nixon and Haldeman concluded that the administration needed to proactively disclose information by 3:00 p.m. to regain control of the narrative before further leaks or accusations from prosecutors occurred.
President Nixon met with Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen to discuss the accelerating Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the status of John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and Jeb Magruder. They deliberated on the potential for upcoming indictments, the legal complexities of naming unindicted co-conspirators, and the strategic risks associated with granting immunity to key figures. Nixon emphasized his desire to distance himself from the legal process while maintaining control over the political fallout, ultimately finalizing a policy that any staff member formally indicted or credibly implicated in public proceedings would be required to resign or take an indefinite leave of absence.
President Nixon met with William P. Rogers, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman to discuss the deepening Watergate scandal and potential legal strategies for the administration. The conversation focused on managing the fallout from emerging testimony, the necessity of forcing the resignation of compromised staff members, and the strategic importance of legal representation and public image. The President expressed significant concern regarding the loyalty of his staff and the risk of being implicated in obstruction of justice, ultimately leaning toward a policy of full disclosure and cooperation with investigators to mitigate further political damage.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the growing legal and political risks surrounding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the recent actions and potential testimony of John Dean. They reviewed their past interactions with Dean, debated his motivations and potential conflict of interest regarding John Mitchell, and examined the vulnerabilities posed by previous meetings. The discussion included strategies for managing the White House response to subpoenas and legal inquiries, as well as the potential application of executive privilege to protect sensitive information.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler discuss the need to maintain a clear firewall between the White House and ongoing Grand Jury proceedings to avoid potential legal contamination. Nixon emphasizes that he explicitly instructed officials not to disclose any Grand Jury findings to him to preserve the integrity of both the official investigation and his own internal review. The discussion underscores the administration's strategic effort to distance the President from sensitive information during the escalating Watergate investigation.
President Nixon and Richard A. Moore met to discuss the escalating Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the roles of John Dean and John Mitchell. They examined the potential legal liabilities arising from the cover-up, the solicitation of hush money for E. Howard Hunt, and the risk that Dean might turn against the administration to secure immunity. Nixon expressed frustration over the perceived ineptitude of his subordinates and the potential for a damaging narrative regarding obstruction of justice, ultimately emphasizing the need to keep the administration's involvement shielded from the ongoing investigations.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman to discuss the ongoing fallout from the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the legal exposure of White House staff members and potential strategies for handling prosecutors. They evaluated the political implications of keeping or removing H.R. Haldeman from his post and analyzed the testimony of John Dean. The discussion also addressed reports regarding the secret removal of political files from the White House, with Ehrlichman advising the President to maintain distance from the daily influx of rumors to avoid distraction.
John Ehrlichman updates President Nixon regarding an ongoing investigation into a mysterious removal of eight boxes of materials from a committee office the day after the Watergate break-in. Ehrlichman reports that Charles Colson, H.R. Haldeman, and others lack knowledge of the event, though they suspect it involved someone with high-level access like Robert C. Odle or Frederick C. LaRue. The President expresses concern over the potential link to Watergate and emphasizes the urgent need to identify the individual who reportedly moved the materials to a private apartment.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the deteriorating legal and political situation surrounding the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on John Dean's recent behavior and potential to implicate senior White House staff. They address reports of undisclosed evidence—specifically cartons of material removed from E. Howard Hunt's safe—and analyze the risks of public statements by the White House. To manage the crisis, Nixon decides to address his Cabinet the following day by emphasizing a commitment to a transparent investigation without offering specific endorsements of individual aides, while opting to retreat to Camp David to avoid media scrutiny during the Easter weekend.
President Nixon and Richard A. Moore discussed the narrative surrounding the La Costa meeting, focusing on framing the President's directives regarding Donald Segretti as legitimate attempts to formulate political strategy rather than obstruction. They reviewed the involvement of key figures including John Mitchell, John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman, particularly regarding the distribution of funds to Watergate defendants. Nixon sought to clarify and distance his inner circle from potential legal culpability by emphasizing that his subordinates did not knowingly participate in illegal activities.
President Nixon met with attorneys John J. Wilson and Frank H. Strickler to discuss legal strategies regarding H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman in the context of the unfolding Watergate scandal. The participants debated the potential impact of indictments, the legal risks associated with hush money payments to defendants, and the potential testimony of John Dean. They also explored the possibility of Haldeman and Ehrlichman resigning to protect the presidency, weighing the timing of such actions against the desire to maintain public confidence and operational continuity.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman review a transcript of a March 21, 1973, meeting with John Dean to analyze their potential legal exposure regarding the Watergate scandal. The participants discuss the ongoing pressure from E. Howard Hunt for hush money, the potential for obstruction of justice charges, and the risks associated with various cover-up strategies. They deliberate over the feasibility of raising cash for legal fees while attempting to distance the President from the illicit activities and illegal payments described by Dean.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate legal strategy and public messaging in the wake of the expanding Watergate scandal. They discussed the difficulties of managing John Dean, the risks of granting him immunity, and the necessity of insulating the President from potential charges of obstruction of justice. The participants emphasized the need to maintain a record of the President's lack of involvement and considered initiatives to project stability within the White House staff.
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 and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst discuss the need to address L. Patrick Gray III regarding his conflicting public statements about the destruction of sensitive documents linked to E. Howard Hunt. Nixon insists that Gray’s claim—that he was ordered by John Ehrlichman and John Dean to destroy the files—is untrue and potentially damaging. The President directs Kleindienst to contact Gray immediately to ensure he clarifies the account and avoids appearing as if he were following specific orders to destroy evidence.
President Richard Nixon met with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen to discuss the ongoing investigation into the Watergate scandal and the status of potential evidence. The conversation centers on the President's frustration regarding uncorroborated information and his desire to control the investigative process to avoid political damage. Nixon emphasizes the need to manage the flow of information as the situation escalates, ultimately expressing concern over the implications of incriminating details surfacing.
President Nixon met with Assistant Attorney General Henry Petersen to discuss the ongoing Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on managing the legal fallout regarding White House staffers John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman. Nixon sought to coordinate the investigation's pace to minimize political damage while pressuring Petersen to ensure that prosecutors pursue the truth aggressively without unfairly implicating the presidency. The conversation centered on the potential for staff resignations or leaves of absence, the credibility of witnesses like Dean, and concerns regarding leaks and threats of blackmail involving White House involvement in the cover-up.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to coordinate a strategy regarding Egil "Bud" Krogh, Jr., who was seeking to provide an affidavit concerning the break-in at Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office. They discussed the necessity of establishing that the break-in yielded no usable intelligence and that the President had no prior knowledge of the operation. Nixon instructed Ehrlichman to ensure Krogh communicated to Attorney General Elliot Richardson that he—and others within the Justice Department—had been aware of the break-in details, such as the photographs of G. Gordon Liddy, well before the President was officially briefed.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss ongoing personnel management and administrative transitions, as well as developing a strategy to counter potential damaging disclosures by former White House counsel John Dean. Nixon expressed concern over Dean’s access to sensitive documents and his possession of self-serving memoranda, specifically regarding a previously unacknowledged September 15, 1972, meeting. The two agreed on a strategy of limited public comment, emphasizing the necessity of protecting the presidency by framing Dean’s actions as self-interested and unreliable while maintaining a defensive posture regarding White House staff.
President Nixon instructed his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, to relay a message of support to Maurice Stans and John Mitchell to avoid direct presidential contact that might create political exposure. He tasked Woods with assuring them of his confidence in their eventual vindication while specifically requesting that she also attempt to reach John and Martha Mitchell. This conversation highlights the President's efforts to maintain back-channel morale among key associates embroiled in the Watergate investigation without creating a traceable record of his involvement.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the escalating Watergate crisis and the necessity of formulating a proactive White House defense to avoid impeachment. The pair reviews the potential release of information regarding the "plumbers" unit, the Huston Plan, and CIA involvement in the investigation, specifically focusing on the need for full disclosure to mitigate negative public perception. Nixon and Haldeman also deliberate on the strategic merits of producing specific notes and affidavits to address allegations of obstruction of justice, weighing the risks of resignation against the possibility of fighting a formal impeachment process.
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.