Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 14, 1973
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 14, 1973
[00.02.00--in to Sen. MONTOYA questioning Jeb MAGRUDER about the coverup story for Watergate] Senator MONTOYA......changes made in the coverup, were there not, as the exigencies would arise? Mr. MAGRUDER. Well, we had to move. very quickly before the FBI got to Mr. Porter and myself on the basic. framework Once the FBI got to us, we. had to pretty well stay with that at, general story. We, made some changes, but, basically, the coverup story we used was developed before, our interviews with the FBI. Senator MONTOYA. Well, you used a coverup story before the grand jury and during the trial, is that correct? Mr. MAGRUDER. Yes, sir; that is correct. Senator MONTOYA. Was the matter of executive privilege discussed as part, of this coverup during your meetings with Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Haldeman, Mr. Dean, or Mr. Ehrlichman? Mr. MAGRUDER. NO, I never--no one brought up that, Subject to me. I had indicated that, I would not, ever invoke executive privilege because as I understand it, I certainly was not qualified. Senator MONTOYA. No, but. did they discuss it as a shelter for themselves? Mr. MAGRUDER. Not with me, sir, no. Senator MONTOYA. NOW, Mr.--- Mr. MAGRUDER. Excuse me. Senator, -Mr. Dean may have mentioned a couple of times that that might be an approach he might take, yes, but that would be the only one that I call remember. Senator MONTOYA. Now, what specific part did Mr. Dean have in the, Coverup? Mr. MAGRUDER. Well Senator, he was one of the people, that dealt with this situation and dealt with me directly and dealt -with Mr. Mitchell, dealt with Mr. LaRue. as to all of the, coverup. The story 'was obviously only one and probably the easiest, part Of the coverup, taking care of, handling of the defendants was what was most difficult. My understanding from him and from others was that he, was involved in all aspects of this coverup.; And as I gathered--as you gathered from the newspapers, there were other activities that I was not aware of involving the FBI and. the CIA and so on. that Mr. Dean involved in. I was not aware of any of those activities. Senator MONTOYA. When did you quit working for the CRP or the Inaugural Committee Mr. MAGRUDER. I left the Committee To Re-Elect after the election and became executive director of the Inaugural Committee immediately after. Senator MONTOYA. When did you terminate your employment there? Mr. MAGRUDER. Approximately the end of 'the middle of February I think, Senator MONTOYA. And did the CRP or the Inaugural Committee continue to pay you after you left? Mr. MAGRUDER. NO, Senator MONTOYA. You mean you have been on your own since? Mr. MAGRUDER. No. I worked at the Commerce Department for approximately 2 months and since that time, I have been on my own as a private consultant although I did, have. done some small amount of work for the Inaugural Committee which I was reimbursed for, Senator MONTOYA. How did Mrs. Hunt come into this picture? Mr. MAGRUDER. Senator, I do not know Mrs. Hunt and I have no idea how she came into the picture. Senator MONTOYA. Well, Mr. Magruder. I believe that you have told a Very complete story. I believe you have been most frank. I believe you have comported yourself in an admirable fashion before this committee. I want to say to you that the tragedy of Watergate is that it has affected many fine young men who dedicated themselves to a President and it has affected their families more. Now, I ask you this final question: Does it not amaze you that after all this allegiance and blind devotion to duty, now you have been relegated to solace and to stew in your own juice? Mr. MAGRUDER. Well, Senator. let me just say I have had to take the attitude and I have taken the attitude that this is certainly a very unfortunate period of my life. I am not going to let it destroy me, I wonderful wife and four children. Senator MONTOYA. I understand that you do, Mr. Magruder. Mr. MAGRUDER. And I am not going to lay down and die because of it. I think I will rehabilitate myself I guess is the he best word. I think in that process and I hope To be able to live a useful life. I would not recommend this as a method of re-emergence. but in this case, I think I can and I -will. Senator MONTOYA. I want to wish you well in your future endeavors. Mr. MAGRUDER. Thank you, Senator. Senator MONTOYA. Thank you. Senator ERVIN. I was very much impressed with your testimony about the climate. that prevailed in the White House, and afterwards in the Committee To Re-Elect the President. As a Matter of fact, was there, not a fear there, of Americans that dissented from policies of Government? Mr. MAGRUDER I think, Senator, it would be fair to say that all of us, and I really should only speak for myself. For myself, I did work at the White House during the time when there, were many demonstrations against the, President. We knew--I knew--of his work to try to solve this problem and I knew, at least, I felt, he was doing it, in the most effective- manner possible. Yet, at the same time, we---I knew that because of the activities of the antiwar movement particularly, that much of the. work was being delayed and stalled because of this. I did create in my mind, anyway, a frustration and a feeling of impotence in being able to deal with the subject. Consequently, I think we became, or I became-and I should only speak for myself--to some extent more callous about these activities, particularly since there were people that I knew, in the, movement many friends in the movement, -who were doing what, I would call illegal activities similar to the type that were, being done, in a sense, in the Watergate and seemed to be. doing it with the approval of a great deal, a great majority--not a great majority of the, American public, but certainly -with some approval. [00.08.20]