What were the Nixon wiretaps, and during what period were they active?

The Nixon wiretaps refer to the wiretapping of the telephones belonging to 17 journalists and federal government employees. These individuals were suspected of leaking information during the Nixon administration, and the wiretaps were in operation between May 1969 and February 1971. Wiretapping is a method of secretly listening to or recording a person's telephone conversations.

Who played a significant role in selecting targets and receiving the results of the Nixon administration's wiretaps?

Alexander Haig, a staff member of the National Security Council, was instrumental in selecting many of the targets for the wiretaps and also received the results from numerous surveillance operations.

What was the primary driving force behind the initiation of the Nixon wiretap program?

The main reason for implementing the wiretap program was the concern expressed by National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger regarding leaks of classified information.

Beyond addressing national security concerns, did the Nixon administration find other uses for the wiretaps?

Yes, after the program was established, the Nixon administration discovered that the wiretaps were useful for gathering political intelligence.

Which high-ranking officials met to decide on the implementation of national security wiretaps, and when did this meeting occur?

A crucial meeting took place on April 29, 1969, involving National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, Attorney General John N. Mitchell, and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation J. Edgar Hoover. This meeting resulted in the decision to utilize national security wiretaps.

Following the decision to implement wiretaps, who was tasked with preparing the necessary official requests?

J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI, drafted the official requests for the wiretaps and submitted them to Attorney General John N. Mitchell.

How did the involvement of Henry Kissinger and John N. Mitchell in the wiretap program eventually come to light?

During a congressional hearing, Henry Kissinger initially denied his involvement but later admitted to it. John N. Mitchell also denied involvement, but laboratory analysis confirmed that his initials on the relevant paperwork were authentic.

What was the role of William C. Sullivan in the context of the Nixon wiretaps?

William C. Sullivan, an FBI domestic intelligence official, was involved in the wiretap operation. He was the person Alexander Haig would visit to read the wiretap results.

Did the extensive wiretapping effort successfully uncover significant leaks of classified information?

No, the wiretaps did not ultimately uncover any serious leaks of classified information.

According to Alexander Haig, who was identified as a leaker through the wiretaps, and what action was taken?

Alexander Haig stated that Daniel Davidson, a staff member of the National Security Council, was identified as a leaker. Based on this information, Haig confronted Davidson, and Davidson subsequently left his position.

What was the general consensus regarding the legality and public perception of the Nixon wiretaps?

While the wiretaps were likely legal, they were considered controversial. Controversy often arises when government actions, even if legal, are perceived as infringing on privacy or civil liberties.

How did the existence of the Nixon wiretaps eventually become public knowledge?

Word of the wiretaps gradually spread among National Security Council staffers and individuals who had been subjected to the surveillance. Eventually, FBI deputy director Mark Felt disclosed information about the wiretaps to Time Magazine, which brought the matter to public attention.

Who was Mark Felt, and what was his contribution to revealing the Nixon wiretaps?

Mark Felt served as the FBI deputy director. He played a crucial role in informing the public about the wiretaps by sharing information with Time Magazine.

What significant development occurred in 1973 concerning the records of the Nixon wiretaps?

In 1973, the new FBI director, William Ruckelshaus, was alerted to the fact that wiretap records were missing from the FBI files, prompting him to launch an official inquiry.

What was the nature and outcome of the inquiry initiated by William Ruckelshaus into the missing wiretap records?

The inquiry involved interviewing approximately 40 individuals, lasted for seven days, and resulted in a 15-page report.

To which governmental body might the report from the wiretap inquiry have been presented, and in what context?

The report was likely shared with the Senate Judiciary Committee during closed-door hearings. These hearings were related to the proceedings concerning the potential impeachment of President Nixon amidst the Watergate scandal.

Where were the missing wiretap files ultimately discovered, and who was associated with their location?

The missing files had been taken to the White House and were eventually found within the files belonging to John Ehrlichman, who served as White House Counsel.

Which Senate committee conducted an investigation into these wiretaps in a closed session in September 1973?

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee investigated the Nixon wiretaps in a closed session during September 1973.

Did Alexander Haig provide testimony regarding the wiretaps during the Watergate scandal investigations?

Yes, Alexander Haig provided sealed testimony about the wiretaps to a grand jury as part of the Watergate scandal investigation.

How did Alexander Haig's involvement with the Nixon wiretaps impact his later career, specifically his appointment as Secretary of State?

Although Alexander Haig later became Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan, his appointment to this high office was met with controversy, partly due to his role in the Nixon wiretap incident. This indicates the lasting repercussions of the wiretapping program.

How many individuals were identified as having their phones wiretapped as part of this program?

A total of 17 individuals were identified as having their phone lines wiretapped under the Nixon administration's program.

Can you list the journalists who were among the 17 individuals subjected to wiretapping?

The journalists wiretapped included William Beecher from The New York Times, Henry Brandon from the London Sunday Times, Marvin Kalb from CBS, and Hedrick Smith from The New York Times.

Which individuals affiliated with the National Security Council were among those wiretapped?

The National Security Council staff members whose phones were wiretapped were Daniel Davidson, Morton Halperin, Anthony Lake, Winston Lord, Richard M. Moose, Richard Sneider, and Helmut Sonnenfeldt.

Were any White House staffers or speechwriters included in the list of individuals wiretapped?

Yes, the list of wiretapped individuals included James McLane and John Sears, both White House staffers, and William Safire, who was a White House speechwriter.

Which individuals from government departments outside the White House or NSC were wiretapped?

Richard F. Pedersen from the Department of State, Robert E. Pursley from the Department of Defense, and William H. Sullivan, who was the United States Ambassador to Laos, were among those wiretapped.

What was William Beecher's role and affiliation during the period of the Nixon wiretaps?

William Beecher was a journalist working for The New York Times who was among the 17 individuals targeted for wiretapping.

Who was Henry Brandon, and why was his phone tapped?

Henry Brandon was a journalist associated with the London Sunday Times. His phone was tapped as part of the Nixon administration's effort to identify leaks of classified information.

What was Daniel Davidson's position, and how was he identified in relation to the wiretaps?

Daniel Davidson was a staff member of the National Security Council. Alexander Haig identified him as a leaker based on information obtained from the wiretaps, which led to Davidson's departure.

Who was Morton Halperin, and what was his connection to the wiretapping program?

Morton Halperin was a staff member of the National Security Council whose phone was wiretapped as part of the investigation into information leaks.

What was Marvin Kalb's professional role when his phone was subjected to wiretapping?

Marvin Kalb was a journalist working for CBS News at the time his phone was wiretapped by the Nixon administration.

Who was Anthony Lake, and what was his role within the National Security Council that led to him being wiretapped?

Anthony Lake was a staff member of the National Security Council. His communications were monitored through wiretapping as part of the administration's efforts to prevent classified information leaks.

What position did Winston Lord hold, and why was he included in the list of wiretapped individuals?

Winston Lord was a staff member of the National Security Council. He was one of the 17 individuals whose phone was wiretapped due to suspicions of leaking information.

Who was James McLane, and what was his role in the White House during the wiretapping period?

James McLane was a staffer within the White House. His phone was tapped as part of the broader surveillance program targeting potential sources of information leaks.

What was Richard M. Moose's position, and why was he a target of the wiretaps?

Richard M. Moose was a staff member of the National Security Council. His phone communications were intercepted as part of the administration's efforts to control the flow of classified information.

Who was Richard F. Pedersen, and what government department did he represent when wiretapped?

Richard F. Pedersen was associated with the Department of State. He was one of the 17 individuals whose phone was wiretapped during the Nixon administration.

What was Robert E. Pursley's affiliation, and why was he included in the wiretap program?

Robert E. Pursley was affiliated with the Department of Defense. His phone was tapped as part of the administration's investigation into information leaks.

What role did William Safire hold within the White House, and why was he wiretapped?

William Safire served as a White House speechwriter. His phone was tapped as part of the surveillance aimed at identifying individuals leaking classified information.

Who was John Sears, and what was his position that led to him being wiretapped?

John Sears was a White House staffer. His communications were monitored via wiretap as part of the administration's efforts to curb information leaks.

What was Hedrick Smith's professional role and publication when he was wiretapped?

Hedrick Smith was a journalist working for The New York Times. His phone was tapped as part of the Nixon administration's investigation into leaks.

Who was Richard Sneider, and what was his role within the National Security Council that resulted in his phone being wiretapped?

Richard Sneider was a staff member of the National Security Council. His communications were intercepted as part of the program designed to prevent the disclosure of sensitive government information.

What was Helmut Sonnenfeldt's position, and why was he targeted for wiretapping?

Helmut Sonnenfeldt was a staff member of the National Security Council. His phone was wiretapped as part of the administration's broader efforts to investigate leaks of classified material.

Who was William H. Sullivan, and what was his diplomatic role when his phone was wiretapped?

William H. Sullivan held the position of United States Ambassador to Laos. He was among the 17 individuals whose phone communications were monitored through wiretapping.

What was the overall objective of the wiretapping program initiated by the Nixon administration?

The overarching objective was to identify and stop leaks of classified information that were causing concern within the administration, particularly to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger.

How did the wiretapping program contribute to the political intelligence gathering of the Nixon administration?

Once established, the wiretap program proved useful to the Nixon administration not only for national security reasons but also as a tool for gathering political intelligence.

What specific incident involving North Korea led to concerns about information leaks within the Nixon administration?

The 1969 EC-121 shootdown incident, where North Korea shot down an American spy plane, was one of the events that prompted internal discussions and concerns about leaks of classified information within the Nixon administration.

What role did the Attorney General play in the creation of the Nixon wiretaps?

Attorney General John N. Mitchell was present at the key meeting on April 29, 1969, where the decision to use national security wiretaps was made, and he received the requests drafted by the FBI Director.

What role did the Director of the FBI play in the creation of the Nixon wiretaps?

J. Edgar Hoover, the Director of the FBI, was present at the decision-making meeting and was responsible for writing and submitting the official requests for the wiretaps to the Attorney General.

How did the discovery of missing wiretap records in 1973 connect to the Watergate scandal?

The inquiry into the missing wiretap records generated a report that was likely shared with the Senate Judiciary Committee during closed-door hearings concerning the potential impeachment of President Nixon as part of the Watergate scandal.

What does the controversy surrounding Alexander Haig's appointment as Secretary of State suggest about the impact of the Nixon wiretaps?

The controversy indicates that Haig's involvement in the Nixon wiretap incident was a significant issue that raised concerns among some regarding his suitability for the high office of Secretary of State, demonstrating the lasting repercussions of the wiretapping program.

Nixon Wiretaps Wiki: Echoes of Intrigue: The Nixon Wiretap Controversy

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Overview

The Wiretapping Program

The Nixon wiretaps refer to the clandestine surveillance of the telephone lines belonging to 17 journalists and federal government employees. These individuals were suspected of disseminating sensitive information during the tenure of the Nixon administration. The wiretapping operations were conducted between May 1969 and February 1971.^[1]

Operational Oversight

A significant portion of the wiretap targets were selected, and the resultant intelligence was often processed by Alexander Haig, a staff member of the National Security Council. This involvement highlights the high-level nature of the surveillance program.^[1]

National Security Rationale

The primary impetus behind the wiretap initiative stemmed from concerns voiced by National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger regarding the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. These leaks were perceived as a threat to national security.^[2]

Motivation for Surveillance

Leaks of Sensitive Information

Henry Kissinger's primary concern was the persistent leaks of classified information. These disclosures included details about the secret bombing campaign against Cambodia during the Vietnam War and internal deliberations concerning the appropriate response to the 1969 EC-121 shootdown incident, where North Korea downed an American reconnaissance aircraft.^[3]

Utility for Political Intelligence

Beyond the initial national security rationale, the Nixon administration recognized the utility of these wiretaps for gathering political intelligence. The program evolved to serve broader administrative objectives, extending its scope beyond purely foreign policy or military secrets.^[4]

Program Genesis

High-Level Decision Making

The decision to implement national security wiretaps was formalized on April 29, 1969, during a critical meeting involving National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, Attorney General John N. Mitchell, and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. This collaboration established the framework for the surveillance program.^[2]^[4]

Formal Requests and Involvement

Following the meeting, J. Edgar Hoover drafted the necessary requests for wiretaps, which were subsequently submitted to Attorney General Mitchell. Despite initial denials of involvement, Mitchell's initials on the official paperwork were later authenticated. Alexander Haig, Kissinger's aide, was known to visit FBI domestic intelligence official William C. Sullivan to review the wiretap transcripts.^[2]^[3]

Identifying Leakers

Limited Success in Uncovering Major Leaks

Despite the extensive surveillance, the wiretaps ultimately failed to uncover any significant or serious leaks of classified information. The program's effectiveness in its primary stated objective was questionable.^[2]

Case of Daniel Davidson

One notable outcome was the identification of Daniel Davidson, a staff member of the National Security Council, as a potential leaker. Based on this intelligence, Alexander Haig confronted Davidson, leading to his departure from his position.^[5]

Consequences and Revelations

Legality and Controversy

While the wiretaps were likely conducted within the legal parameters of the time, they generated considerable controversy. The clandestine nature and the targeting of journalists raised serious questions about executive power and press freedom.^[5]

Public Disclosure

Information about the wiretaps eventually reached the public domain. FBI deputy director Mark Felt disclosed details to Time Magazine, bringing the surveillance program to public attention.^[5]

Investigation and Missing Records

In 1973, the new FBI director, William Ruckelshaus, initiated an inquiry upon learning of missing wiretap records from FBI files. This investigation, which involved interviewing numerous individuals and produced a detailed report, was likely shared with the Senate Judiciary Committee during the Watergate scandal impeachment proceedings. The missing files were eventually located within the files of White House Counsel John Ehrlichman.^[4]^[6]

Congressional Scrutiny

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee conducted a closed-door investigation into these wiretaps in September 1973. Furthermore, Alexander Haig provided sealed testimony regarding the wiretaps to a grand jury during the Watergate scandal investigations.^[2]^[4]

Lingering Reputations

Haig's role in the wiretap incident contributed to controversy surrounding his later appointment as Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan.^[4]

Wiretapped Individuals

Journalists

Several prominent journalists and media figures were subjected to wiretapping, raising concerns about press freedom:

William Beecher - The New York Times
Henry Brandon - London Sunday Times
Marvin Kalb - CBS
Hedrick Smith - The New York Times

Government Officials

Numerous individuals associated with the National Security Council, the White House, and the Department of State were also targeted:

Daniel Davidson - National Security Council staff member
Morton Halperin - National Security Council staff member
Anthony Lake - National Security Council staff member
Winston Lord - National Security Council staff member
Richard M. Moose - National Security Council staff member
Richard F. Pedersen - Department of State
Robert E. Pursley - Department of Defense
Richard Sneider - National Security Council staff member
Helmut Sonnenfeldt - National Security Council staff member
William H. Sullivan - United States Ambassador to Laos

White House Staff

Individuals working directly within the White House apparatus were also included in the surveillance net:

James McLane - White House staffer
William Safire - White House speech writer
John Sears - White House staffer

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References

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Echoes of Intrigue

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview ℹ️

📞 The Wiretapping Program

🕵️ Operational Oversight

🔒 National Security Rationale

Motivation for Surveillance 🤔

📰 Leaks of Sensitive Information

📊 Utility for Political Intelligence

Program Genesis 📜

🤝 High-Level Decision Making

✍️ Formal Requests and Involvement

Identifying Leakers 🎯

🚫 Limited Success in Uncovering Major Leaks

➡️ Case of Daniel Davidson

Consequences and Revelations ⚖️

❓ Legality and Controversy

📢 Public Disclosure

🔍 Investigation and Missing Records

🏛️ Congressional Scrutiny

⭐ Lingering Reputations

Wiretapped Individuals 👥

📰 Journalists

🏛️ Government Officials

✍️ White House Staff

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

The Wiretapping Program

Operational Oversight

National Security Rationale

Motivation for Surveillance

Leaks of Sensitive Information

Utility for Political Intelligence

Program Genesis

High-Level Decision Making

Formal Requests and Involvement

Identifying Leakers

Limited Success in Uncovering Major Leaks

Case of Daniel Davidson

Consequences and Revelations

Legality and Controversy

Public Disclosure

Investigation and Missing Records

Congressional Scrutiny

Lingering Reputations

Wiretapped Individuals

Journalists

Government Officials

White House Staff

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice