Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Wiretapping
22 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Ziegler, Haig, Ehrlichman
President Nixon met with Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to strategize for an upcoming meeting with news editors regarding media criticism of FBI surveillance practices. Nixon expressed frustration over what he deemed irresponsible reporting by the Washington Post and the New York Times, particularly allegations of domestic spying on innocent citizens. He instructed Ziegler to forcefully defend the administration's policy by contrasting it with historical wiretapping practices during the Robert Kennedy era and emphasizing the necessity of surveillance for national security and crime prevention.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and other staff members to strategize on administration messaging, foreign policy initiatives, and political tactics. The conversation centered on managing the upcoming press conference, refining the administration's stance on drug policy by shifting focus toward youth rather than just veterans, and monitoring polling data regarding China and the United Nations. Nixon and his advisors also reviewed plans for an upcoming speech at West Point and discussed sensitive diplomatic maneuvering regarding potential summits and China-related negotiations.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the administration's legislative priorities, specifically focusing on support for a pesticide bill and the status of international hijacking and sabotage conventions. The discussion also touched upon the legislative mechanics and constitutional considerations of a proposed busing moratorium. Additionally, the President inquired about historical wiretapping practices during the Kennedy administration as part of his broader interest in congressional and legal affairs.
President Nixon, John Ehrlichman, and L. Patrick Gray discussed Gray’s upcoming confirmation process for the FBI directorship amidst the escalating Watergate investigation. Nixon emphasized the necessity of maintaining a relationship with the Bureau director characterized by total discipline and secure, direct communication, akin to his past interactions with J. Edgar Hoover. They deliberated on how Gray should handle hostile questioning regarding domestic wiretaps and potential illegal activities by the previous administration, ultimately deciding that Gray should meet these inquiries head-on to maintain control of the narrative.
Ronald L. Ziegler initiated a call to Gerald L. Warren to receive a briefing on an impending Washington Post story regarding the Watergate scandal. Warren reported that John Dean was prepared to testify under oath that H. R. Haldeman and John D. Ehrlichman directed a White House cover-up and possessed knowledge of illegal activities, including wiretapping. The conversation highlights the internal state of alarm and the chaotic efforts by senior officials to mount a counter-offensive against Dean's damaging allegations.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler to strategize the White House response to the escalating Watergate scandal, specifically addressing negative press coverage and the potential for a formal election reform initiative. The discussion focused on shifting public attention away from the scandal by emphasizing the administration's foreign policy achievements and the need to professionalize government communications through the Republican National Committee. Nixon directed Ziegler to pursue a strategy of full disclosure regarding the administration’s actions while framing Watergate within the context of previous political wiretapping practices and media manipulation.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed strategies to manage the fallout from the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on the upcoming Congressional hearings and potential revelations regarding unauthorized wiretaps. They strategized on how to frame past FBI wiretapping activities as standard national security protocols inherited from previous administrations rather than partisan misconduct. Additionally, they evaluated the political implications of replacing Secretary of State William Rogers with Henry Kissinger or John Connally, ultimately weighing Kissinger's professional indispensability against the political utility of a cabinet change.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the political fallout and potential disclosure of White House-authorized wiretaps, specifically regarding individuals like Tony Lake. They debate whether to preemptively admit to these national security-related taps or maintain a defensive stance while coordinating with William Ruckelshaus on a public statement. Ultimately, Nixon directs Haig to verify the scope of existing wiretap records to ensure the administration is prepared for impending press scrutiny and to protect Henry Kissinger and Ronald Ziegler from contradictory information.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discussed administrative strategies for responding to the escalating Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on efforts to manage public perception and counter negative media coverage. The two reviewed press briefings given by Ronald Ziegler and strategized on how to engage political allies like John Stennis to influence legislative and public opinion. Additionally, the conversation addressed the importance of preventing the release of names linked to previous administration wiretaps, with the President asserting that such disclosures would be disastrous for innocent parties.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler met to coordinate the White House response to upcoming media reports concerning the Pentagon Papers investigation and wiretapping activities. Nixon instructed Ziegler to frame the administration's involvement in the Egil Krogh-led investigation as a routine, legitimate national security measure. The two also discussed the status of presidential files and sought to downplay the administration's prior knowledge of sensitive intelligence activities by emphasizing the President's lack of personal recollection of specific documents.
President Nixon met with Ronald Ziegler and Alexander Haig to formulate a public relations strategy to counter the ongoing Watergate scandal. The discussion focused on shifting public attention toward the previous Democratic administrations by highlighting missing FBI wiretap records from the Kennedy and Johnson eras. Nixon emphasized the importance of aggressive tactics, including the declassification of sensitive documents and the promotion of a narrative that the White House had fully cooperated with investigations into national security leaks.
President Nixon met with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., to coordinate defense strategies and assess legal risks regarding the growing Watergate scandal and the impending Ervin Committee hearings. They discussed the potential legal implications of John Dean’s documents, the handling of White House records, and the broader fallout concerning national security wiretaps. The President emphasized the need for a rigorous, fact-based response while cautioning against any actions that could be perceived as an excessive use of executive power.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss ongoing Watergate pressures, focusing on the management of sensitive documents, potential witnesses, and the search for a new Special Prosecutor. They review the strategy for Lt. Gen. Vernon Walters’s testimony, emphasizing the assertion of national security privilege to withhold classified intelligence documents. Additionally, Nixon justifies the use of wiretaps to address leaks within the National Security Council and strategizes with Haig on how to maintain administrative operations while navigating these unfolding scandals.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler coordinated an upcoming telephone conversation with journalist Howard K. Smith to express appreciation for Smith's recent editorial coverage. Nixon specifically sought to thank Smith for his balanced commentary regarding the history of national security wiretapping, which drew comparisons to the Roosevelt administration. They agreed that while the President remains open to speaking with Smith, such contact should be deferred until the active grand jury processes have concluded.
President Nixon directed Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to leak information regarding the administration's surveillance of journalists to the press. Nixon emphasized that the leak should frame the disclosure as a response to mounting pressure from senators demanding the release of wiretap records. Ziegler was instructed to disseminate this information immediately to control the narrative surrounding the ongoing Watergate investigations.
President Nixon directs Ronald Ziegler to coordinate a strategy involving Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott to demand the release of Kennedy and Johnson-era wiretap records. Nixon orders the immediate public disclosure of information regarding the Daniel Ellsberg break-in, insisting it be handled decisively despite potential political fallout. Additionally, Nixon instructs Ziegler to signal to Richard Helms that he intends to declassify sensitive materials related to the Bay of Pigs and the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, pressuring Helms to prepare for the imminent release of these records.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss plans to counter Watergate-related criticism by leaking records of extensive wiretapping conducted during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Nixon asserts that Bobby Kennedy ordered significantly more illegal wiretaps than the Nixon administration and intends to publish the names of those surveilled to expose political hypocrisy. Additionally, the pair briefly reviews the positive international press reception regarding the President’s recent foreign policy initiatives, including the Shanghai communique and Soviet relations.
President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discuss a communications strategy to counter negative press coverage and leaks regarding the Watergate scandal. They evaluate the timing for releasing information about past wiretap records, hoping to identify potentially damaging precedents involving Robert F. Kennedy to deflect from current criticisms. The President affirms a 'moderate profile' strategy, agreeing with Ziegler that they should stop responding to individual leaks and instead rely on previous official denials, while also coordinating with congressional allies like Edward Gurney to challenge the Ervin Committee's proceedings.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to strategize the administration's public response to ongoing Watergate controversies, focusing on Senator Hugh Scott’s planned statement regarding wiretap statistics. The discussion also addressed staff management issues, specifically John Connally’s future role and concerns regarding internal communication failures surrounding John Dean’s recent statements. Nixon emphasized the need for better legal coordination and expressed frustration with press coverage and the perceived incompetence of his press team in managing damaging narratives.
President Richard Nixon met with Clarence M. Kelley to finalize his appointment as the new Director of the FBI and to outline the administration's expectations for his leadership. Nixon emphasized the need for Kelley to restore order, improve cooperation with other federal and local law enforcement agencies, and act as a fearless administrator to overcome the internal power struggles following J. Edgar Hoover’s tenure. The conversation also covered strategies for Kelley's upcoming confirmation hearings, particularly regarding Watergate, the handling of raw FBI files, and the administration's frustration with judicial restrictions on national security wiretapping.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss ongoing political damage control regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on efforts to implicate previous Democratic administrations in illegal wiretapping. Nixon and Haig strategize on maintaining pressure on figures like Joseph Califano and McGeorge Bundy by highlighting hypocrisy regarding past surveillance practices. Additionally, the pair reviews economic policy, including potential wage and price controls on gas and food, and confirms the scheduling of upcoming meetings, including one with John Connally.
President Nixon met with Bryce Harlow and Alexander Haig to manage the political fallout from the Watergate scandal, coordinate the administration's stance on economic policy, and prepare for the upcoming state visit of Leonid Brezhnev. The participants discussed strategies to deflect partisan criticism, including leveraging statements from sympathetic senators and countering media narratives regarding past wiretapping practices. Additionally, they coordinated a briefing schedule for Congressional leaders to maintain support for the administration's foreign policy and Vietnam negotiations amid ongoing domestic instability.