Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on White House Counsel
17 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Bull, Rogers, Buzhardt
When White House Counsel comes up
Related topics: WatergateJ. Fred Buzhardt Jr.Legal strategyJohn W. Dean IIISpecial ProsecutorPublic relationsPersonnel appointmentsNational SecurityExecutive privilegeCongressional relationsTreasury DepartmentTelephone operationsSpiro AgnewPress strategy
President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David on an unknown date, sometime between 10:34 pm on December 5, 1972 and 11:05 am on December 6, 1972. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 233-007 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with John Dean and Stephen Bull to discuss strategy for upcoming Senate hearings, particularly regarding executive privilege and the nature of testimony. They debated the merits of written interrogatories versus in-person questioning and the potential for leaks. The conversation also touched upon judicial appointments, the role of the press, and past investigations, including the FBI's actions and the Vesco affair. A significant portion focused on managing public perception and legal challenges related to the Watergate investigation.
On March 13, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:29 pm and 12:42 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 878-010 of the White House Tapes.
John Dean contacted John Ehrlichman to report that he had arrived and was available to talk, indicating there were no significant new developments beyond their last conversation. Dean mentioned he had been "brooding" and had some thoughts he believed Ehrlichman would want to record. Ehrlichman agreed to meet with Dean later that morning. President Nixon could be heard conferring with Charles Colson in the background.
President Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discuss how to manage Senate pressure regarding the appointment of a special prosecutor for the Watergate scandal, particularly focusing on Senator Charles Percy's legislative resolution. Rogers reports that he confronted Percy to ensure support for Elliot Richardson and suggests that the White House should neutralize the resolution by securing endorsements from senior senators rather than forcing a floor vote. Additionally, the two men discuss the need to find a new, experienced, and low-profile White House Counsel to replace Leonard Garment and briefly consider potential candidates like Bryce Harlow.
President Nixon and Kenneth R. Cole, Jr. met to discuss potential candidates to replace John W. Dean, III as White House counsel. The conversation focused on the qualifications required for the role, specifically evaluating Edward L. Morgan as a potential candidate due to his reputation as a solid thinker and his limited involvement in campaign activities. Nixon expressed concerns about pulling Morgan from his critical duties as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, ultimately directing Cole to consult with others regarding Morgan’s suitability and recommendations.
President Nixon and William P. Rogers met to discuss the staffing of the White House Counsel position following the resignations of H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, as well as the ongoing management of the Watergate scandal. The two evaluated potential candidates for Counsel—including George H. W. Bush, John W. Byrnes, and others—emphasizing the need for a candidate with legal expertise who could effectively manage Cabinet and Congressional relations. Furthermore, they reviewed the search for a Special Prosecutor to handle the difficult legal proceedings involving high-level administration officials, ultimately favoring individuals with strong integrity and non-partisan backgrounds.
President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State William P. Rogers discussed potential personnel appointments, including the recruitment of David Packard and E. Barrett Prettyman as White House Counsel, while navigating complex conflicts of interest and personal reservations. The two men also reviewed the political fallout of John Connally’s party switch and tensions regarding Vice President Spiro Agnew’s role on the Domestic Council. Finally, they addressed the ongoing Watergate scandal, agreeing that while the disclosure of the Daniel Ellsberg break-in would be unpleasant, the administration must focus on maintaining government functionality.
President Nixon met with Leonard Garment to strategize on managing Watergate-related legal threats, specifically focusing on the protection of presidential files and the invocation of executive privilege. They discussed the legal defense of White House staff members like H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, Egil Krogh, and David Young during upcoming grand jury appearances and FBI interrogations. Nixon emphasized that sensitive documents remained under his direct control, while the two agreed on a measured, narrow approach to asserting executive privilege to avoid perceptions of a cover-up.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to strategize the White House response to intensifying Watergate-related scrutiny, specifically regarding the role and credibility of former counsel John Dean. They focused on clarifying the internal investigation process and justifying previous press statements by emphasizing that Ziegler’s assurances of no White House staff involvement were based on Dean's repeated, deceptive briefings. The pair decided to shift toward an offensive communications strategy, framing the investigation as a standard administrative function performed by the counsel's office rather than a specific, top-down directive from the President.
President Nixon and White House counsel J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. discuss the contents of a mysterious 43-page document to determine if it involves sensitive national security matters or potential political liabilities. They deliberate on whether the information relates to domestic intelligence gathering and if it is appropriate or necessary to disclose these materials to a judge. Nixon ultimately praises Buzhardt's investigative progress and instructs him to provide a follow-up report on the document's implications.
President Nixon met briefly with his counsel, J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., to coordinate their schedules following an ongoing meeting. The discussion functioned primarily as a brief administrative exchange to ensure they were prepared to convene once Buzhardt became available. No substantive policy or legal strategy decisions were recorded during this brief encounter.
On May 21, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. talked on the telephone from 5:34 pm to 5:35 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-134 of the White House Tapes.
On June 6, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:01 am and 9:14 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 039-099 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his brother, F. Donald Nixon, to discuss personal business interests, family matters, and the ongoing political fallout from the Watergate scandal. Donald provided updates on his various international business ventures and requested advice regarding potential conflicts of interest with White House counsel. The conversation also touched on the President's upcoming travel schedule and general frustration with the political atmosphere surrounding the Watergate investigation.
On June 12, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:30 pm and 9:37 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 040-042 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with an unidentified individual to coordinate scheduling and legal strategy regarding the ongoing Watergate investigation. The discussion specifically addressed the administration's defensive posture toward the Ervin Committee and concerns over damaging press leaks. Nixon also arranged a briefing with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. to further manage the White House's response to the scandal.