Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Warren E. Burger
18 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Burger, Bull, Mitchell
These are conversations about Warren E. Burger. For the 13 conversations Burger took part in, see Warren E. Burger’s page →
When Warren E. Burger comes up
Related topics: Supreme CourtWhite House communicationsPresidential schedulingWhite House operationsSupreme Court appointmentsStephen B. BullRonald L. ZieglerPress relationsJudicial appointmentsJohn N. MitchellWhite House staffWhite House administrationWatergateUS Foreign Policy
President Nixon met with Chief Justice Warren E. Burger to discuss the upcoming National Conference on the Judiciary. Their conversation focused on the President's potential involvement, including remarks on legal reforms and the promotion of city and county-level judicial action. The dialogue also touched upon the historical legacy of John Marshall and Virginia's influence on the presidency, ultimately confirming Burger's support for the administration's judicial initiatives.
On September 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:45 am and 4:28 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-062 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon consulted with staff and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger regarding the public announcement of Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black's sudden resignation. The participants coordinated a messaging strategy for press secretary Ronald Ziegler to handle media inquiries, specifically emphasizing that the President would seek the "best qualified" successor rather than committing to geographic or ideological litmus tests. The discussion also addressed the timeline of when the White House received Black's formal letter and the necessary coordination with Attorney General John Mitchell.
President Nixon and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger discuss the impending retirement of Supreme Court Justices Hugo L. Black and John M. Harlan due to their declining health. Nixon decides to send handwritten notes to both justices rather than organize formal events, acknowledging their inability to receive visitors. Additionally, the two touch upon the potential political fallout of the resignations and review Burger’s recent diplomatic travel to Yugoslavia and England, with Nixon encouraging further foreign engagement to foster international relations.
President Nixon and Attorney General John Mitchell discuss the strategy for announcing the resignation of Supreme Court Justice John M. Harlan. Nixon aims to coordinate the announcement with the Chief Justice to prevent negative press speculation and secure a favorable news cycle. Mitchell agrees to contact the Chief Justice immediately to determine the status of the resignation and assess the feasibility of an afternoon press briefing.
Attorney General John Mitchell updates President Nixon on the health status of Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, who is currently undergoing medical tests. Mitchell reports that Chief Justice Warren Burger is coordinating the situation and intends to handle the matter with discretion to prevent premature leaks regarding Harlan’s potential departure. Nixon instructs Mitchell to ensure Burger manages the timing carefully, prioritizing both political sensitivity and speed.
President Nixon met with Henry Kissinger, John Mitchell, and John Ehrlichman to discuss high-level administration business, ranging from foreign policy to domestic personnel matters. The primary focus of the session was an extensive deliberation regarding potential Supreme Court nominees—specifically evaluating candidates like Herschel Friday and Mildred Lillie—amidst reports of Chief Justice Warren Burger’s dissatisfaction and rumored resignation threats. Additionally, the group reviewed internal FBI tensions, including the management of William C. Sullivan and the leadership status of J. Edgar Hoover, as well as various trade and political scheduling issues.
President Nixon calls Lewis F. Powell, Jr. to personally urge him to accept a nomination to the Supreme Court. Nixon emphasizes that Powell’s professional stature and reputation for excellence would serve as a crucial defense against critics who have previously alleged that administration nominees were mediocre. Powell expresses reservations about his health and age but agrees to consult with his wife and law partners before providing a final decision to Attorney General John Mitchell by the following morning.
On October 21, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:56 pm and 9:00 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 012-065 of the White House Tapes.
On December 25, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:38 am and 10:53 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 017-074 of the White House Tapes.
On May 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:48 pm and 3:49 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-142 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Chief Justice Warren E. Burger to coordinate the handling of specific documentation or speech materials. The discussion focused on routing sensitive information to John Andrews, a staff member working within the Executive Office Building on a pending presidential speech. The brief exchange centered on administrative logistics and the secure transmission of these materials between the two parties.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate administrative details regarding his schedule. The primary focus of the brief discussion was arranging a meeting between the President and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. No further specific actions or policy decisions were documented during this short exchange.
President Nixon and his daughter, Tricia Nixon Cox, discussed recent personal social visits, including the Coxes' trip to the Supreme Court to meet Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. The President also requested that Tricia coordinate with Pat Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower to oversee the renovation and redecoration of the White House third-floor solarium into a more comfortable family room. Additionally, the conversation touched upon the President's current workload at Camp David and included disparaging remarks regarding the political character of George McGovern following the 1972 election.
On January 2, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:45 am and 8:53 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 035-050 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate the scheduling and return of key White House staff members, including H.R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and John Ehrlichman. During the discussion, they addressed the whereabouts of Alexander Haig and reviewed the President's upcoming schedule at the Executive Office Building. Additionally, Nixon placed a brief call to the White House operator to request a conversation with Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.
On May 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:06 am and 9:27 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-137 of the White House Tapes.
Chief Justice Warren E. Burger initiated this call to offer personal support to President Nixon, acknowledging the political pressure surrounding the Watergate scandal. The two discussed the difficulty of ensuring fair trials for figures like H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and John Mitchell amidst intense public scrutiny and media coverage. Nixon expressed frustration over his inability to oversee his subordinates more closely due to the demands of his foreign policy agenda, including relations with China, the Soviet Union, and the Vietnam War.