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Conversation 009-095

TapeTape 9StartMonday, September 20, 1971 at 12:45 PMEndMonday, September 20, 1971 at 12:46 PMTape start time02:31:25Tape end time02:32:26ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Mitchell, John N.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

Attorney General John Mitchell updates President Nixon on the health status of Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, who is currently undergoing medical tests. Mitchell reports that Chief Justice Warren Burger is coordinating the situation and intends to handle the matter with discretion to prevent premature leaks regarding Harlan’s potential departure. Nixon instructs Mitchell to ensure Burger manages the timing carefully, prioritizing both political sensitivity and speed.

John Marshall HarlanWarren E. BurgerSupreme CourtHealthConfidentiality
AudioNARA Description

On September 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and John N. Mitchell talked on the telephone from 12:45 pm to 12:46 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-095 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 9-95

Date: September 20, 1971
Time: 12:45 pm - 12:46 pm
Location: White House Telephone

John N. Mitchell talked with the President.

[See Conversation No. 577-3A]

     John M. Harlan
          -Mitchell's conversation with Warren E. Burger
          -Tests
                -Time
                -Burger's conversation with Harlan
          -Announcement
                -Burger
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Attorney General.
Mr. President, I talked to Warren, and he tells me that Harlan's going through some tests and he won't be able to see him until later this afternoon.
Right.
Probably quite late.
He will move the matter as fast as he can do in a polite way when he sees him then.
Right.
and i see he says it's uh certain oh yes we'll be coming as just a question of how politely i think it's uh i think it's much the best john to do it i mean not to let anything build you know nurses and everything else will talk out there and it'll get all over town and i'd uh i'd rather not uh
So don't push him, but as soon as he's ready, he should do it.
No, Warren will take care of it and understands it.
Good.
So we'll get it as soon as he can politically do so.
Good.
Fine, John.
Right, sir.
Fine.
Bye.
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