Source: Garrett M. Graff. Watergate - A New History (2022)
At 7 am on Saturday, 17 June 1972, hours after the burglars were arrested, Liddy went to CREEP and started to shred Gemstone files and receipts, and he tried to contact Magruder, who was at San Clemente. As Liddy was shredding, he told Sloan that the burglars were caught, saying he used someone from CREEP (McCord), and doing so was a fatal mistake. Liddy finally got hold of Magruder on the phone, informing him what had occurred. Magruder simply couldn’t believe that Liddy had used McCord, and later phoned Liddy in order to tell him to involve Kleindienst. Magruder then briefed AG Mitchell while avoiding phone calls from Haldeman and Strachan. As the hours passed, Magruder became less sure that the burglary could be contained. Magruder called his aide and had him remove all Gemstone files from his office, feeling that it was a crime “that could destroy us all”.
Felt was at his desk at 8:30 am on 17 June 1972, already alerted to the break-in, baffled by the stupidity of the burglars as well as those that must have given authorization. John Dean claimed to not have been informed about the break-in until the next day (18 June 1972, Sunday), since he was returning from the Philippines. When Haldeman was told on Saturday, he simply assumed that Colson’s goons had been caught in the act. Nixon was furious after Haldeman briefed him late Saturday morning, and then the President read Colson the riot act. Butterfield’s opinion after finding out what occurred was that nothing happened within the administration with Nixon’s or Haldeman’s approval, so therefore, the higher-ups were somehow involved.
Felt was at his desk at 8:30 am on 17 June 1972, already alerted to the break-in, baffled by the stupidity of the burglars as well as those that must have given authorization. John Dean claimed to not have been informed about the break-in until the next day (18 June 1972, Sunday), since he was returning from the Philippines. When Haldeman was told on Saturday, he simply assumed that Colson’s goons had been caught in the act. Nixon was furious after Haldeman briefed him late Saturday morning, and then the President read Colson the riot act. Butterfield’s opinion after finding out what occurred was that nothing happened within the administration with Nixon’s or Haldeman’s approval, so therefore, the higher-ups were somehow involved.
It had only been a week since Richard Kleindienst had been confirmed as Attorney General when he was informed of the Watergate break-in. Later that day, Liddy told Kleindienst the story, wanting the AG to get the five burglars out of jail immediately, telling him that (former AG, now CREEP chairman) Mitchell wanted it done. Kleindienst refused to play ball, and Liddy returned to CREEP to finish shredding all-things-Gemstone. Search warrants executed for the burglars’ hotel rooms at the Watergate found spy equipment, sequentially-numbered $100 bills, documents, as well as burglars’ address books containing Hunt’s name. Later that day Liddy found out that Hunt’s name was in the notebook of at least one of the five burglars, and that the FBI had already tried to interview Hunt at home, but he refused until he spoke with his lawyer.
FBI Special Agent Angelo Lano had handled previous break-ins at the Watergate, including a jewelry theft from the condominium of Rose Mary Woods in 1969. The first big break was when FBI investigators figured out that Edward Martin was really James McCord, and that it appeared that McCord worked for CREEP. At 8:30 am on Saturday, 17 June 1972, just hours after the Watergate break-in, the legendary police reporter from the Washington Post, Alfred Lewis, was tasked with hanging around precincts and police to see what he could learn. Lewis was more cop than reporter, and he was able to gain access to the DNC offices and talk to police that were on site. Lewis told his boss at the Post that each burglar had hundreds of dollars in their possession, and it was clear that at least one of them knew the layout of the offices.
FBI Special Agent Angelo Lano had handled previous break-ins at the Watergate, including a jewelry theft from the condominium of Rose Mary Woods in 1969. The first big break was when FBI investigators figured out that Edward Martin was really James McCord, and that it appeared that McCord worked for CREEP. At 8:30 am on Saturday, 17 June 1972, just hours after the Watergate break-in, the legendary police reporter from the Washington Post, Alfred Lewis, was tasked with hanging around precincts and police to see what he could learn. Lewis was more cop than reporter, and he was able to gain access to the DNC offices and talk to police that were on site. Lewis told his boss at the Post that each burglar had hundreds of dollars in their possession, and it was clear that at least one of them knew the layout of the offices.
Bob Woodward was tasked with working the story of the break-in from the Post newsroom, and as Saturday unfolded, the City Desk Boss involved Carl Bernstein to gather information about the burglars. It was soon discovered that four of the five burglars were Cuban (except McCord), which led the city editor to send a reporter to Miami. During mid-afternoon on Saturday, Woodward went to the courthouse where the burglars would have their preliminary hearing. What captured Woodward’s attention was McCord reluctantly admitting that he had formerly worked for the CIA.
On Sunday (18 June 1972), the Associated Press reported that McCord was the security consultant for CREEP. St the Washington Post, Woodward and Bernstein focused their work on learning more about the five burglars. On Monday, Woodward called the White House switchboard asking for Howard Hunt. Woodward was transferred a few times within the White House, which told him that Hunt was a familiar figure there. Ironically, Hunt had been at the White House that day, telling Colson that his safe was “loaded”, after which he walked out of the White House for the last time. Woodward actually reached Hunt by phone across the street from the White House where he was “employed”, asking him why his name was in the address books of two Watergate burglars, at which point Hunt muttered something and hung up.
Woodward researched Hunt and McCord, discovering that McCord was still part of the Air Force Reserve, and an officer in the reserve gave Woodward the names of 15 people in McCord’s unit. Woodward soon learned that the unit’s work dealt with compiling lists of suspected domestic radicals. Woodward uncovered strange information about Hunt as well, with the White House confirming that Hunt had worked on some projects, but not since March 1972.
On Sunday (18 June 1972), the Associated Press reported that McCord was the security consultant for CREEP. St the Washington Post, Woodward and Bernstein focused their work on learning more about the five burglars. On Monday, Woodward called the White House switchboard asking for Howard Hunt. Woodward was transferred a few times within the White House, which told him that Hunt was a familiar figure there. Ironically, Hunt had been at the White House that day, telling Colson that his safe was “loaded”, after which he walked out of the White House for the last time. Woodward actually reached Hunt by phone across the street from the White House where he was “employed”, asking him why his name was in the address books of two Watergate burglars, at which point Hunt muttered something and hung up.
Woodward researched Hunt and McCord, discovering that McCord was still part of the Air Force Reserve, and an officer in the reserve gave Woodward the names of 15 people in McCord’s unit. Woodward soon learned that the unit’s work dealt with compiling lists of suspected domestic radicals. Woodward uncovered strange information about Hunt as well, with the White House confirming that Hunt had worked on some projects, but not since March 1972.
Woodward called Hunt’s employer, the head of the Mullen Company, who stated that it was no secret that Hunt had worked for the CIA; that was news to Woodward, who now knew that two people involved in the break-in had ties to the CIA. That weekend, Woodward contacted Felt, whom he had first met during 1969 as a young Navy officer when he was a courier delivering documents from the Pentagon to the White House. While both men were waiting outside the Situation Room, Woodward was impressed by Felt’s “command presence”, and introduced himself to Felt. While they were waiting, they got to know each other a little bit, with Woodward asking a lot of questions. Woodward called Felt from time-to-time afterwards, asking for advice about future prospects, and he even visited Felt’s home in VA a few times.
Woodward kept their connection going at the Post, with Felt agreeing to be a source under the condition that he never be identified, that none of what he said could be used, and that he would only confirm if Woodward was on the right track given the questions he asked. Felt confirmed to Woodward that Hunt was considered a key suspect by the FBI. Others at the Post discovered that Colson was linked to Hunt, which was a direct link to the White House. A Washington Post headline ran, saying “White House Consultant Linked to Bugging Suspects”.
Woodward kept their connection going at the Post, with Felt agreeing to be a source under the condition that he never be identified, that none of what he said could be used, and that he would only confirm if Woodward was on the right track given the questions he asked. Felt confirmed to Woodward that Hunt was considered a key suspect by the FBI. Others at the Post discovered that Colson was linked to Hunt, which was a direct link to the White House. A Washington Post headline ran, saying “White House Consultant Linked to Bugging Suspects”.
On 19 June 1972 (Monday), Dean tried to put together what occurred with the Watergate break-in. Ehrlichman told Dean to monitor the investigation of the Justice Department, and to write a report that would be sent to Nixon who was at Key Biscayne, while also finding out what he could from Colson. Dean had to answer the key question, which was who was exposed to what. At 11 am on 19 June 1972, Dean summoned Liddy to the White House, where he answered Dean’s questions, while also providing additional information. Dean asked who in the White House knew of the break-in, and Liddy said that Magruder knew of the operation, and Liddy promised Dean that McCord and the four other burglars would not talk. Liddy told Dean quite a bit, not only about the Watergate break-in, but also of the break-in to Dr. Fielding’s office in LA. Dean denied saying he’d take care of the burglars and their families, but Liddy recalled that Dean would do so. While Liddy remained in DC, Hunt left DC, eventually winding up staying with a former CIA colleague in California.
During a White House Press Conference, Ron Ziegler, Nixon’s Press Secretary, dismissed the break-in as a “third-rate burglary”, which within two years would prove to be a beyond-famous phrase. The more reporters investigated the Watergate burglary, the more it seemed to not be a random break-in. The FBI had the problem of too many leads to follow, especially after the photographs of the five burglars were published in newspapers across the nation. One tip proved to be useful, though, in that the manager of the Howard Johnson Motor Inn recognized McCord, since he had rented a room to him; it didn’t take the FBI long to connect McCord to Baldwin.
Nixon’s inner circle was baffled and frustrated with the circumstances surrounding the Watergate break-in. Haldeman had never met Hunt, Liddy, or McCord, and those names meant nothing to him. Dean briefed Ehrlichman, who became very interested upon hearing that AG Mitchell was involved. Ehrlichman thought that Mitchell could be packaged as the fall guy for the break-in. Later, Ehrlichman was shocked when Colson told him that Hunt had sensitive items in his safe in his office, and that Hunt had an office in the White House. Dean was tasked with securing Hunt’s items from Colson’s safe. Dean was invited to Mitchell’s apartment at the Watergate at 6 pm that Sunday. By then, Dean was all kinds of puffed up since Nixon’s inner circle was showing a great amount of trust in him.
During a White House Press Conference, Ron Ziegler, Nixon’s Press Secretary, dismissed the break-in as a “third-rate burglary”, which within two years would prove to be a beyond-famous phrase. The more reporters investigated the Watergate burglary, the more it seemed to not be a random break-in. The FBI had the problem of too many leads to follow, especially after the photographs of the five burglars were published in newspapers across the nation. One tip proved to be useful, though, in that the manager of the Howard Johnson Motor Inn recognized McCord, since he had rented a room to him; it didn’t take the FBI long to connect McCord to Baldwin.
Nixon’s inner circle was baffled and frustrated with the circumstances surrounding the Watergate break-in. Haldeman had never met Hunt, Liddy, or McCord, and those names meant nothing to him. Dean briefed Ehrlichman, who became very interested upon hearing that AG Mitchell was involved. Ehrlichman thought that Mitchell could be packaged as the fall guy for the break-in. Later, Ehrlichman was shocked when Colson told him that Hunt had sensitive items in his safe in his office, and that Hunt had an office in the White House. Dean was tasked with securing Hunt’s items from Colson’s safe. Dean was invited to Mitchell’s apartment at the Watergate at 6 pm that Sunday. By then, Dean was all kinds of puffed up since Nixon’s inner circle was showing a great amount of trust in him.
Ehrlichman briefed Haldeman on his conversation with Dean. Haldeman was shocked to find out, according to Dean, that Colson (“Mr. Dirty Tricks”) hadn’t been involved in the Watergate break-in. Ehrlichman told Haldeman that the break-in was a CREEP thing. Both men quickly agreed that the Watergate break-in had to be contained within CREEP so it never reached the White House. The goal as not only to keep any investigation away from the White House, but also to keep it as low a level within CREEP. When Haldeman briefed Nixon, it became clear that other things were at least tangentially involved with Watergate, such as the activities of the Plumbers, especially their
break-in to Fielding’s office. It was decided then-and-there by the President and his Chief of Staff that the White House needed to shut down the entire investigation of the Watergate break-in.
According to Haldeman, during the night of 19 June 1972 Nixon raised two things that would be key in proving the cover-up which led to the downfall of his administration and his Presidency: “Hush Money” and the CIA. Afterwards, when Haldeman asked Ehrlichman to participate in the cover-up based on Nixon’s instructions, Erhlichman begged off, not wanting to be involved, already trying to separate himself from the situation that he had played a large role in creating. So instead of Ehrlichman, it was Dean that directly participated in the cover-up, who was actually having quite a bit of fun doing so, even directing some aspects of the White House cover-up. Dean met with Mitchell, Magruder, Mardian, and LaRue at Mitchell’s apartment, where Magruder stated that the bugging was the main problem, not the break-in itself. At that time, Dean didn’t see the situation as perilous at all, since he was enjoying being in the inner circle of Nixon Land too much, with all looking at him to fix the problem. Soon after the meeting, on Mitchell’s indirect suggestion, Magruder burned the Gemstone files in his possession from CREEP in his fireplace at home.
break-in to Fielding’s office. It was decided then-and-there by the President and his Chief of Staff that the White House needed to shut down the entire investigation of the Watergate break-in.
According to Haldeman, during the night of 19 June 1972 Nixon raised two things that would be key in proving the cover-up which led to the downfall of his administration and his Presidency: “Hush Money” and the CIA. Afterwards, when Haldeman asked Ehrlichman to participate in the cover-up based on Nixon’s instructions, Erhlichman begged off, not wanting to be involved, already trying to separate himself from the situation that he had played a large role in creating. So instead of Ehrlichman, it was Dean that directly participated in the cover-up, who was actually having quite a bit of fun doing so, even directing some aspects of the White House cover-up. Dean met with Mitchell, Magruder, Mardian, and LaRue at Mitchell’s apartment, where Magruder stated that the bugging was the main problem, not the break-in itself. At that time, Dean didn’t see the situation as perilous at all, since he was enjoying being in the inner circle of Nixon Land too much, with all looking at him to fix the problem. Soon after the meeting, on Mitchell’s indirect suggestion, Magruder burned the Gemstone files in his possession from CREEP in his fireplace at home.