Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Watergate investigation
54 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Buzhardt
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discussed the content and purpose of films being produced for the Republican National Convention. They reviewed various segments, including footage of the President's trip to the Soviet Union, his family, and his interactions with foreign leaders, debating the effectiveness and potential use of specific scenes, such as the Tanya Savicheva story. The conversation also touched upon campaign budget controls, the General Accounting Office investigation, and the Watergate affair, with Mitchell expressing concerns about Martha Mitchell's behavior and potential treatment options.
President Nixon and Jeb Stuart Magruder met briefly to discuss unspecified strategic concerns. The dialogue remains largely indistinct, characterized by vague exchanges regarding a potential course of action and the President's expressed sense of unease. No concrete policy decisions or specific directives were recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Dean to discuss the ongoing fallout and public perception of the Watergate investigation, emphasizing the need to keep the affair contained while criticizing potential political opponents. The participants assessed the progress of internal investigations and debated strategies for managing the Democratic National Committee's activities, including potential legislative and legal maneuvers. Nixon expressed a firm determination to reorganize the administration after the election, insisting that political loyalty and control over the federal bureaucracy would be prioritized to eliminate perceived incompetence and disloyalty within the ranks.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman to coordinate the end-of-session legislative strategy, including maneuvering around the debt ceiling and potential vetoes of the water bill. The group discussed the 1972 campaign, specifically criticizing Senator Charles Percy for his public antagonism toward the White House and strategizing on how to support primary opponents like Roman Pucinski. Additionally, they reviewed sensitive foreign policy developments regarding Vietnam negotiations and leaks, while also managing the President’s logistical schedule, including upcoming radio addresses and security protocols for telephone access.
President Nixon met with John D. Ehrlichman to discuss legislative strategy, political damage control, and personnel issues, including the administration's stance on executive privilege regarding congressional inquiries. The two reviewed tactics for managing the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the involvement of White House staff and the potential impact of public testimony by administration officials. Additionally, they addressed upcoming tax reform proposals, the cultivation of key support groups like farmers and veterans, and the potential intervention required to prevent Jimmy Hoffa from assuming a leadership role in a Detroit labor union.
President Nixon met with John Dean and Manolo Sanchez to discuss the handling of FBI information and potential leaks to Congress. Dean reported on his conversations with L. Patrick Gray III regarding the FBI's cooperation with Senate investigations, noting Gray's surprising stance on making FBI records available. They also discussed the 1968 bugging incident and the possibility of Cartha "Deke" DeLoach lying about it, with Nixon instructing Dean to gather information on past administrations' use of the FBI for espionage.
President Nixon and John Dean discussed strategies for managing the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on the administration’s position regarding executive privilege and the release of FBI information to Congress. Dean reviewed historical precedents, such as the Truman administration's refusal to release investigative files, to support a policy of providing relevant information while resisting congressional demands for White House staff testimony. The two also addressed the perceived political vulnerability of former Attorney General John Mitchell and the necessity of managing Attorney General Richard Kleindienst’s loyalties during the ongoing inquiry.
President Nixon held a brief, two-minute meeting in the Oval Office with John D. Ehrlichman. The discussion, which lacked a recorded transcript, occurred during a period of intense focus on the ongoing Watergate investigation. No specific policy decisions or action items were documented due to the limited duration and lack of available dialogue.
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.
H. R. Haldeman and John Mitchell coordinated a meeting in Washington to discuss legal strategies regarding the Watergate investigation, specifically proposing a "blue-ribbon" commission as an alternative to existing proceedings. The two men expressed frustration with Attorney General Richard Kleindienst’s lack of initiative in establishing a necessary liaison with the Ervin Committee and gathering information from the grand jury. Additionally, Mitchell sought Haldeman’s intervention to resolve employment obstacles for Herbert "Bart" Porter at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
John W. Dean III contacted John D. Ehrlichman to signal his availability for a private meeting to discuss emerging developments related to the Watergate investigation. Dean indicated he had additional information, described as 'more brooding,' that he wanted to relay to Ehrlichman for internal consideration. The two agreed to defer the substantive discussion until they could meet in person away from Dean's current visitors.
President Nixon initiates a call to the White House operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. This interaction serves as a logistical step to reach a key figure involved in the Watergate investigation. The call concludes with the operator's acknowledgement of the request to track down Petersen at his residence.
H. R. Haldeman coordinated an urgent meeting between President Nixon and John W. Dean III at the Executive Office Building for 9:00 p.m. This directive required the White House operator to contact Dean at his residence to facilitate the late-night session. The conversation reflects an effort to secure direct communication with Dean amidst the escalating pressures of the Watergate investigation.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an urgent call to Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. This interaction served as the administrative precursor to a direct consultation between the President and the Department of Justice official. The call highlights the President's ongoing communication with Petersen regarding the rapidly evolving Watergate investigation.
President Nixon initiates a call to the White House operator to be connected with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. This administrative contact serves as the precursor to a high-level discussion regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation. The primary objective is to facilitate direct communication between the President and the official overseeing the Department of Justice's criminal inquiry.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to clarify the location and identity of Henry E. Petersen, the Assistant Attorney General. After briefly confusing him with Secretary of Commerce Peter G. Petersen, who was currently vacationing in Bermuda, the President confirmed that he did not wish to initiate a call at that time. The exchange served as a logistical verification to ensure the President reached the correct official regarding pending legal matters.
President Nixon met with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen to discuss the ongoing investigation into the Watergate scandal and its potential impact on his administration. The two focused on the necessity of managing the investigation's pace and gathering sufficient facts to justify legal proceedings. Nixon emphasized the importance of staying informed on developments and coordinating communication to avoid jeopardizing the integrity of the prosecution.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and key staff to coordinate messaging and strategy on pressing administration priorities, specifically energy policy, economic inflation, and the ongoing Watergate investigations. Nixon urged his officials to actively support the administration's legislative agenda, particularly in the face of rising economic concerns and energy supply challenges. He emphasized the necessity of a unified, firm stance against political pressure, framing the current crises as manageable problems rather than catastrophic failures. Additionally, Nixon underscored his commitment to a thorough investigation into Watergate, stressing the need to maintain public order and confidence while the legal process unfolded.
President Nixon initiates a call to the White House operator to be connected with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. This interaction serves as the preliminary step for the President to facilitate a direct conversation with the official managing the Watergate investigation. The call concludes immediately after the request for the connection is made.
A White House operator coordinates with President Nixon to facilitate an urgent communication with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. The President seeks to confirm Petersen’s current availability, as he is expected to initiate a call to the White House within minutes. This brief exchange serves to prepare the President for a critical, time-sensitive discussion regarding ongoing legal or investigative matters.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to connect him with John D. Ehrlichman. The President requested that the operator contact him again once Ehrlichman returned home. This administrative exchange facilitated an urgent communication between the President and his top domestic policy advisor during the height of the Watergate investigation.
President Nixon utilized the White House operator to initiate an outgoing telephone call to Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst. The brief exchange served as a logistical step to connect the President with his chief law enforcement officer. This communication reflects the active coordination occurring between the White House and the Department of Justice during the escalating Watergate investigations.
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 consulted with an unidentified individual regarding a telephone call made by Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen from the Cabinet Room. The brief exchange focused on technical or procedural aspects of the communication, specifically referencing the use of a "catapult" system. No further policy decisions or substantive outcomes were documented during this short meeting.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent telephone connection with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. This interaction was strictly logistical, serving as an administrative step to initiate a high-level discussion regarding the ongoing legal and political developments of the era. No policy decisions were discussed during this brief exchange, which functioned solely to bridge the communication link.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to devise a strategy to counter potential testimony from John W. Dean III before the Ervin Committee. The pair discussed discrediting Dean by emphasizing his role in the original Watergate investigation and framing his upcoming testimony as self-serving and unreliable. They also addressed legal concerns regarding executive privilege and the protection of presidential papers, while coordinating efforts to handle inquiries about White House involvement in payments to defendants and the manipulation of intelligence documents.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss legal strategy regarding the Watergate investigation, specifically focusing on John Dean’s role and his potential testimony. They review documentation of Dean's interactions with Lt. Gen. Vernon Walters, aiming to frame these as standard investigative procedures while distancing the President from Dean’s actions. The two conclude that J. Fred Buzhardt should consult with Richard Helms to assert national security privilege over specific records to limit their disclosure during the ongoing inquiry.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed the scheduling and parameters of an upcoming meeting with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. The President emphasized his desire to hear a personal message from Petersen, while noting that the conversation should remain distinct from ongoing grand jury matters. This exchange served to facilitate the logistics and communication protocols for the President's engagement with the Justice Department official.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate a forthcoming discussion with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation. The two discussed logistical delays caused by inclement weather and the necessity of ensuring privacy for the meeting. The conversation focused on managing the interaction to avoid premature or public association with grand jury proceedings.
J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. and Doug Parker engaged in a brief check-in regarding the status of communication with Assistant Attorney General Henry E. Petersen. The primary purpose of the call was to ascertain whether Parker had received any updates or outreach from Petersen. No substantive developments occurred, as Parker confirmed he had not yet heard from him and agreed to notify Buzhardt upon receiving any further information.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place an urgent telephone call to J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., his special counsel handling legal matters related to the Watergate investigation. The brief exchange serves as a logistical bridge to facilitate direct communication with Buzhardt regarding ongoing legal defense strategies. No substantive discussion occurs during this initial connection request, as the President is merely establishing the line.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place an outgoing call to J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., a member of his legal defense team. This brief administrative exchange serves as a transition to a private consultation regarding the ongoing Watergate investigations. No substantive policy discussions or decisions occur during this brief interaction.
President Nixon and legal counsel J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. held a brief meeting to verify the status of undisclosed materials or records. Buzhardt confirmed that the requested items had been secured and reviewed, though he noted that the effort yielded unsuccessful or unproductive results. This exchange served as a status update regarding the handling of sensitive documentation amidst the unfolding Watergate investigation.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed internal investigations into agency involvement, specifically focusing on the CIA's potential role and the necessity for a thorough, broad-based inquiry. Nixon directed Ziegler to gather specific data regarding FBI reports and the timeline of staff involvement in Los Angeles to clarify administrative oversight. This exchange reflects the White House's attempt to manage and compartmentalize information surrounding ongoing investigations.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to inquire about the current whereabouts of J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. The discussion focused on locating Buzhardt, who served as a key legal advisor during the Watergate investigation. No significant policy decisions were reached during this brief exchange.
President Nixon consulted with J. Fred Buzhardt regarding the collection of affidavits from various officials to document that the Huston Plan was never fully implemented. Nixon emphasized the urgency of gathering these testimonies to prepare a defense strategy, while also discussing media efforts to highlight how upcoming Ervin Committee hearings might jeopardize ongoing legal trials. Finally, the President and Ronald Ziegler discussed countering allegations regarding a past political opponent's medical history, with Nixon demanding that negative information about the source of these rumors be leaked to the press to discredit the accuser.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to connect him with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., who was serving as Special Counsel to the President at the time. This brief interaction served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication with legal counsel amid the escalating Watergate investigation. No further substantive discussion was captured beyond the request to initiate the call.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the management of information and materials related to ongoing investigations, specifically focusing on what should be disclosed to prosecutors versus what falls under security protections. Nixon expresses concern over the handling of CIA-related information and the legal implications of providing specific directives to the agency. The conversation underscores the administration's efforts to navigate the tension between cooperative transparency and the protection of sensitive executive branch records.
President Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. held a brief exchange to coordinate an immediate meeting. The conversation served primarily as a logistical check to confirm Buzhardt's location following his scheduled session. The two agreed to convene shortly thereafter to review ongoing materials and case developments.
President Nixon reviewed a recording of a previous meeting with John W. Dean III while meeting with an unidentified individual in the Old Executive Office Building. The conversation primarily involved evaluating the content and potential impact of the taped discussion with Dean. The President and the visitor discussed strategies for managing the information contained within these recordings and deliberated on how to approach its public or internal handling.
President Nixon spent this session reviewing specific segments of previously recorded White House conversations, including discussions involving John W. Dean, III and Henry A. Kissinger. During the same period, Nixon engaged in an brief telephone conversation with Richard G. Kleindienst concerning a meeting and potential testimony. The President utilized this time to selectively audit past internal records and coordinate administrative matters during the ongoing investigation.
President Nixon coordinates with Stephen B. Bull to obtain additional White House recordings for his ongoing personal review of the tapes. Bull confirms his readiness to deliver the materials, prompting the President to arrange an immediate follow-up meeting. This exchange reflects the administration's active internal effort to manage and process the recordings during the escalating Watergate investigations.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull meet to discuss the technical operation and maintenance of the White House taping system. The discussion focuses on the physical location of recording equipment, the procedure for daily tape rotation, and an assessment of existing tape segments from April. Nixon gives instructions regarding the management of these recordings and tasking Bull with oversight of the system's ongoing operations.
President Nixon held an undocumented meeting with an unidentified individual in his Old Executive Office Building office. The nature of the discussion remains opaque due to the absence of a substantial transcript record, though the meeting was significant enough to be processed by the Watergate Special Prosecution Force. No specific policy decisions or action items can be verified from the limited archival documentation available.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the review, editing, and preparation of White House tape recordings. The discussion focused on managing the logistics of selecting and transcribing specific conversations from March and April 1973 for official review. Nixon instructed Bull to finalize the processing of these tapes so the President could personally listen to the recordings.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to discuss the ongoing review and processing of White House tape recordings. The conversation specifically addressed the nature of Bull’s support and involvement in the tape review process. No specific operational decisions were recorded in the available transcript fragment, though the meeting underscores the administrative management of the tapes during the scrutiny of the Watergate investigation.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to coordinate the ongoing transcription of sensitive White House tape recordings. The discussion focused on establishing a systematic process for reviewing specific recordings from March, with particular emphasis on identifying content involving the President. They assigned responsibility for transcribing various segments to ensure comprehensive documentation of the requested materials.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed the handling of a statement intended for release by John Dean regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee, then chaired by Senator James Eastland. The discussion touched upon the review of specific mission-related documents and coordination with Press Secretary Ron Ziegler. They concluded by agreeing to follow up on the status of these materials and Dean's statement the following day.
President Nixon and aide Stephen B. Bull met to address technical issues and gaps in the White House taping system. Nixon expressed frustration over malfunctioning recording equipment and specifically requested that Bull locate and provide access to recordings from March 16 and March 20. The President emphasized the priority of retrieving these specific tapes, signaling his intent to personally listen to the recordings for review.
President Nixon initiates a request through the White House operator to be connected with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. The brief exchange serves as a logistical coordination for the President to communicate with his legal counsel regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation. No substantive policy discussions occur during this brief administrative interaction.
President Nixon met with J. Fred Buzhardt to review the status of the ongoing Watergate investigation and discuss the aggressive, broad-ranging document and testimony requests made by Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. Buzhardt characterized Cox’s efforts as an attempt to overstep his mandate and challenge executive privilege, leading to a strategy of forcing Cox to formally request items in writing to maintain administrative control. Nixon and Buzhardt agreed to resist these demands firmly, preparing for an inevitable future confrontation or subpoena while emphasizing the necessity of protecting the constitutional integrity of the presidency.
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.
President Nixon and White House counsel J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. met to discuss legal defense strategies regarding ongoing investigations and potential witness reliability. The conversation centered on concerns regarding a witness's propensity for lying and the risk that their testimony could undermine the administration's legal position. They weighed the strategic implications of how specific evidence or documentation might be contested or utilized during formal proceedings.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman discuss the management of presidential records and materials, specifically focusing on the documentation of the administration's first four years. The two men also evaluate potential publishers for these materials and touch upon ongoing investigations, including the testimony of John Dean and others involved in the Watergate scandal. Nixon expresses concern regarding the motivations of those testifying and emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to documenting his presidency.