The 18-Minute Gap, Wiretaps and Cash: Nixon's Grand Jury Testimony Released

WHAT: Two separate releases of historical records from the Presidency of Richard M. Nixon.

The National Archives in College Park, MD, will open 26 files from its Records of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force (WSPF) collection including transcripts of President Nixon’s grand jury testimony of June 23-24, 1975, pursuant to the July 29, 2011, order by Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. In response to a petition filed in the case In Re Petition of Stanley Kutler, et al., Chief Judge Lamberth, ordered that the transcript of Mr. Nixon’s testimony and the “Associated Materials” to that testimony be released to the public following the review of these documents for any information that must be redacted as required by law. There are a few redactions made for the privacy of living persons. In addition, there are several portions of the testimony that were deemed to be properly classified for national security. These portions, as well as parts of the accompanying materials, have been referred for declassification. When the National Archives receives a reply to these referrals, the transcript and accompanying materials will be updated.
The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, one of 13 Presidential libraries operated by the National Archives, will open textual materials and sound recordings from its Nixon Presidential Historical Materials, including: The segments of five transcripts of White House taped conversations from 1971 and 1973, which are part of the materials associated with President Richard M. Nixon's June 23-24, 1975 grand jury testimony. The Library will open approximately 3,000 pages of formerly classified national security materials, including National Security Council materials and Henry A. Kissinger (HAK) telephone conversation transcripts.

The Library plans to open an additional 45,000 pages from the collection of Ken Cole, the President’s chief domestic policy aide in 1973-74. The Library will also release approximately 45 minutes of presidential dictabelt sound recordings from 1970, including the President’s dictated recollections of his historic early morning visit to the Lincoln Memorial on May 9, 1970. Finally, the Library will open additional video oral histories, including those of Judge Laurence Silberman, former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY), and former Massachusetts Governor William Weld.

WHEN: Thursday, November 10, 2011, 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST

WHERE: Online: Files from the National Archives’ WSPF collection including the transcript of President Nixon's grand jury testimony and associated materials, will be available at http://www.archives.gov/research/investigations/watergate/nixon-grand-jury/.

Nixon Presidential Historical Materials released by the Nixon Presidential Library will be available at http://www.nixonlibrary.gov.

In person: Files from the National Archives’ WSPF collection will be available at the textual research room of the National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland.

Nixon Presidential Historical Materials released by the Library will be available at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard, Yorba Linda, California.

Background on the Nixon Grand Jury Testimony

In May 1975, the Watergate Special Prosecution Force (WSPF) decided that it was necessary to question former President Richard M. Nixon in connection with various investigations being conducted by that office. The circumstances of this testimony were negotiated with Mr. Nixon’s attorneys, Herbert J. Miller, Jr., and R. Stan Mortenson. It was determined that Mr. Nixon would be questioned over the period of two days, June 23 and June 24, 1975, and that the testimony would be taken as part of various investigations being conducted by the January 7, 1974, Grand Jury for the District of Columbia (the third Watergate Grand Jury). Chief Judge George Hart signed an order authorizing that the sworn deposition of Mr. Nixon be taken at the Coast Guard Station in San Mateo, California with two members of the grand jury present. The deposition was taken in California because Mr. Nixon’s doctor had determined that Mr. Nixon was unable to travel to Washington DC for health reasons.

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The 18-Minute Gap, Wiretaps and Cash: Nixon's Grand Jury Testimony Released

WHAT: Two separate releases of historical records from the Presidency of Richard M. Nixon.

Background on the Nixon Grand Jury Testimony

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