Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974
[00.02.00] Mr. FISH. .....is an issue that is particularly abhorrent to a democratic people. The illegal activities of the Plumbers is the subject of the third provision which we have before us a motion to strike. I know there are several who want to talk on this paragraph, and I will attempt to be brief. As we know, on June 13, the New York Times published the first installment of the Pentagon Papers. The President, through Haldeman, directed Mr. Colson to prepare a memorandum stating his recommendations on the Pentagon Papers issue. The memorandum of Mr. Colson, dated June 25, recommended that the investigation and successful prosecution of Ellsberg was an opportunity for or political gain for the President by publicly discrediting Mr. Ellsberg. As we know also, Mr. Ellsberg was indicted on June 28. The genesis, I suggest to you, of the Plumbers was the Pentagon Papers and in a meeting between the President, Mr. Ehrlichman, and Mr. Mitchell on July 6, We have the discussion on forming a "nonlegal group in connection with the Pentagon Papers affair." So there is no question here, of Presidential knowledge. The question has been raised, and will be raised again, however, that the issue was national security from the start, that, this legitimized the formation of the Plumbers and the effort to publicly discredit Mr. Daniel Ellsberg. Mr. Jenner, I have asked you during this break a few minutes ago to find for, me certain citations I recall of conversations between the principals in this matter that showed to me clearly that it was a public relations effort they had in mind and that national security in the Pentagon Papers was not the issue. Could you refer to those citations please? Mr. JENNER. May I, Mr. Chairman ? the CHAIRMAN. Mr. Jenner. Mr. JENNER. The following items appearing in the Ehrlichman notes which, by the way, will be delivered to all of you tomorrow with a covering memorandum, I -will read without comment. I think they speak for- themselves. On July 1, 1971, a meeting of the plaintiff, Mr. Ehrlichman, at 10:15 in the morning and Mr. Colson. Did I say the President ? If I didn't, I should have. Item No. 8 reads, "Leak stuff out." "This is the way we win." The next is -also July 1 at 1 p.m. a meeting with the President. It bears the following entry labeled item No. 1. "Espionage not involved in Ellsberg Case," Did I say 21-29. His case, Breach of security, Willful disclosure with intent to commit espionage. The same meeting later, note No. 30. Timing-do not react to Ellsberg Case. Don't think in terms of spies." July 6, 1971. The President, the Attorney General, Haldeman, Ehrlichman. Note No. 11. The President is saying this, "Put a non-legal team on the conspiracy." That is--- The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman's 4 minutes has expired, I recognize the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Conyers, for 4 minutes. s[00.06.21]