Nixon and Ford Discuss a Democrat's Attack on FBI Director Hoover
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In this April 1971, conversation, Nixon called Ford to discuss House Majority Leader Hale Boggs (D-La.), who had made a speech claiming that FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover was regularly wiretapping members of Congress.
Transcript:
FORD: Good morning, Mr. President.
NIXON: Hi, Jerry.
FORD: How are you?
NIXON: What's the matter with your opposite number?
FORD: He's nuts!
NIXON: My God. I, when I read The Star last night, and incidentally I thought you made a fine comment, but I thought well, Jesus, Jerry. Did you know that the FBI has not had a tap, not only on no congressman or no senator, but not even anybody that has ever -- the moment they crossed into that Capitol since 1924. Did you know that?
FORD: I didn't know that. But I...
NIXON: Hoover's got the record. I mean, this is the most ridiculous damn thing. But the fellow, he's on the sauce, isn't that it?
FORD: Well, I'm afraid that's right Mr. President.
NIXON: Or is he crazy, I mean...
