Gallery moment · 1973-07-17
Simulation, labeled as simulation. Nothing a figure says here is a quote.
The tapes: keep them or burn them
The day after Butterfield told the Senate Watergate Committee that the Oval Office is wired. The President is in hospital with pneumonia. Subpoenas for the tapes are being drafted on Capitol Hill and in the Special Prosecutor's office. Haig and Buzhardt weigh whether the tapes can lawfully be destroyed before any subpoena is served. Garment argues that destruction would be obstruction and that he would resign. Nixon believes the tapes will exonerate him on the central question and is reluctant to lose them.
Seats
- President: Historical figure (name withheld)
- Chief of Staff: Historical figure (name withheld)
- Special Counsel: Historical figure (name withheld)
- Counsel and adviser: Historical figure (name withheld)
- Press Secretary: Historical figure (name withheld)
Endings
- What happened: Nixon keeps the tapes. The subpoenas follow, the Supreme Court orders them produced in July 1974, the 'smoking gun' conversation is released, and Nixon resigns on Aug 9, 1974. · Route
- The fork: Nixon orders the tapes destroyed on July 18, 1973, before any subpoena is served, and is still President on August 9, 1974. · No route
Sources
- White House Tapes | Richard Nixon Museum and Library
- washingtonpost.com: The Nixon Tapes
- SURPRISE WITNESS Butterfield, Ex‐Aide at White House, Tells of Listening Devices - The New York Times
- Where President's Listening Devices Are Located
- Senate Select committee on Presidential Campaign Activities interview with Alexander Butterfield, July 13, 1973 | U.S. Capitol - Visitor Center
- Alexander P. Butterfield Papers, 1973 | Gerald R. Ford
- Listening to Nixon | National Archives
- Alexander Butterfield Explains the Nixon Taping System | Miller Center