J. Fred Buzhardt: Difference between revisions

From wikilawschool.net. Wiki Law School does not provide legal advice. For educational purposes only.
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:J Fred Buzhardt.jpg]]
{{Infobox Lawyer
 
| last_name    =Buzhardt
{{Infobox officeholder
| image        =[[File:J Fred Buzhardt.jpg]]
|name        = J. Fred Buzhardt Jr.
| firm        =  
|image        = Melvin R. Laird and J. Fred Buzhardt.jpeg
| alma_mater  =University of South Carolina School of Law
|imagesize          = 300px
| website      =  
|caption = Buzhardt (right), receives the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal from [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Melvin Laird]] in 1973
|office      = [[General Counsel of the Department of Defense]]
|term_start  = 1970
|term_end    = 1973
|president    = [[Richard Nixon]]
|predecessor  = [[Leonard Niederlehner]]
|successor    = [[Martin R. Hoffmann]]
|office1      =
|president1  =
|term_start1  =
|term_end1    =
|predecessor1 =
|successor1  =
|birth_name  = Joseph Fred Buzhardt Jr
|birth_date  = February 21, 1924
|birth_place  = [[Greenwood, South Carolina]]
|death_date  = {{death date and age|1978|12|16|1924|2|21}}
|death_place  = [[Hilton Head, South Carolina]]
|party        =
|residence    =
|spouse      = Imogene Sanders
|alma_mater  = [[West Point Military Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|B.S.]])<br /> [[University of South Carolina]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B]])
|religion    = [[Baptist]]
|website      =
}}
}}
'''Joseph Fred Buzhardt Jr''' (February 21, 1924 – December 16, 1978) was an American attorney and public servant. He is best known for serving as special [[White House Counsel]] to [[Richard Nixon]] during the [[Watergate scandal]]. Previously he had served as [[General Counsel of the Department of Defense]] and as a legislative aide to Senator [[Strom Thurmond]].
'''Joseph Fred Buzhardt Jr''' (February 21, 1924 – December 16, 1978) was an American attorney and public servant. He is best known for serving as special White House Counsel to Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. Previously he had served as General Counsel of the Department of Defense and as a legislative aide to Senator Strom Thurmond.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Buzhardt was born in [[Greenwood, South Carolina]], to Joseph Fred Buzhardt Sr., and Edna Hardin Buzhardt. The family later moved to [[McCormick, South Carolina]], and Buzhardt graduated from McCormick High School with honors.<ref name="ij19950827" />
Buzhardt was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, to Joseph Fred Buzhardt Sr., and Edna Hardin Buzhardt. The family later moved to McCormick, South Carolina, and Buzhardt graduated from McCormick High School with honors.<ref name="ij19950827" />


==Early career==
==Early career==
He first attended [[Wofford College]] from 1941 to 1943 before he was appointed to the [[US Military Academy]]. He graduated from West Point in 1946 and then served in the [[US Air Force]]. Following his military service, he attended the [[University of South Carolina]] and earned a law degree in 1952. He then returned to McCormick and entered private practice, alongside his father.<ref name="clemson" />
He first attended Wofford College from 1941 to 1943 before he was appointed to the US Military Academy. He graduated from West Point in 1946 and then served in the US Air Force. Following his military service, he attended the [[University of South Carolina School of Law]] and earned a law degree in 1952. He then returned to McCormick and entered private practice, alongside his father.<ref name="clemson" />


Buzhardt left private practice in 1958 to become a legislative assistant to Senator [[Strom Thurmond]].<ref name="clemson" /> During the 1964 presidential campaign, Buzhardt, along with [[William J. Baroody Jr.]] and Anthony J. Jurich, advised the [[Republican National Committee]] on military affairs.<ref name="dmr19681215" /> Buzhardt succeeded [[Harry S. Dent Sr.]], as Thurmond's administrative assistant in 1965.<ref name="pi19651007" /> Buzhardt left Thurmond's staff in 1966, but the two remained close.<ref name="clemson" />
Buzhardt left private practice in 1958 to become a legislative assistant to Senator Strom Thurmond.<ref name="clemson" /> During the 1964 presidential campaign, Buzhardt, along with William J. Baroody Jr. and Anthony J. Jurich, advised the Republican National Committee on military affairs.<ref name="dmr19681215" /> Buzhardt succeeded Harry S. Dent Sr., as Thurmond's administrative assistant in 1965.<ref name="pi19651007" /> Buzhardt left Thurmond's staff in 1966, but the two remained close.<ref name="clemson" />


In 1968 Dent and Buzhardt attempted to talk Thurmond out of his proposed marriage to Nancy Moore, a former beauty queen and 44 years his junior. Their efforts were unsuccessful and apparently did not affect either man's relationship with Thurmond.<ref>{{Harvnb|Bass|Thompson|1998|pp=236–237}}</ref> Buzhardt was one of only 35 people, 26 of whom were family, in attendance at Thurmond's wedding to Moore in December 1968.<ref name="ij19681223" /> According to Dent, Buzhardt was "like a son" to Thurmond, who had practiced law with Buzhardt's father.<ref>{{Harvnb|Bass|Thompson|1998|p=153}}</ref>
In 1968 Dent and Buzhardt attempted to talk Thurmond out of his proposed marriage to Nancy Moore, a former beauty queen and 44 years his junior. Their efforts were unsuccessful and apparently did not affect either man's relationship with Thurmond. Buzhardt was one of only 35 people, 26 of whom were family, in attendance at Thurmond's wedding to Moore in December 1968.<ref name="ij19681223" /> According to Dent, Buzhardt was "like a son" to Thurmond, who had practiced law with Buzhardt's father.


Buzhardt stayed active in Republican party politics in South Carolina, serving as [[Marshall Parker]]'s campaign manager for the latter's unsuccessful bid for [[US Senator|US senator]] in 1968.<ref name="ij19680216" /> That year, Buzhardt was named as an alternate delegate to the [[1968 Republican National Convention|Republic National Convention]], which would nominate [[Richard Nixon]] for the presidency.<ref name="ij19680401" /> After the Republican victory in November, incoming Secretary of Defense [[Melvin Laird]] tapped Buzhardt for his staff.<ref name="dmr19681215" />
Buzhardt stayed active in Republican party politics in South Carolina, serving as Marshall Parker's campaign manager for the latter's unsuccessful bid for US senator in 1968.<ref name="ij19680216" /> That year, Buzhardt was named as an alternate delegate to the Republic National Convention, which would nominate Richard Nixon for the presidency.<ref name="ij19680401" /> After the Republican victory in November, incoming Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird tapped Buzhardt for his staff.<ref name="dmr19681215" />


== Watergate ==
== Watergate ==
[[File:Alexander Haig Official Portrait.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.85|Alexander Haig sought Buzhardt's help with John Dean's allegations.]]
Buzhardt was named as special White House counsel for Watergate matters on May 10, 1973.<ref name=WAPO1978MW>{{cite news| title=J. Fred Buzhardt Dies| last=Weil| first=Martin| date=December 17, 1978| work=The Washington Post| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1978/12/17/j-fred-buzhardt-dies/0ffd34e0-8b33-445c-8c7b-71678d46b2e8/| accessdate=November 3, 2019}}</ref> Alexander Haig, President Nixon's new White House Chief of Staff following the resignation of H. R. Haldeman, told Buzhardt that his role at the White House would be temporary, and so he retained his title at the Defense Department. His first task as special counsel was to investigate former White House Counsel John Dean. Dean, whom the president had fired the previous week, was cooperating with investigators and was believed to possess classified documents. Buzhardt, through his contacts in the intelligence community, determined that the documents were related to the Huston Plan, an illegal proposed expansion of domestic surveillance.
Buzhardt was named as special White House counsel for [[Watergate scandal|Watergate matters]] on May 10, 1973.<ref name=WAPO1978MW>{{cite news| title=J. Fred Buzhardt Dies| last=Weil| first=Martin| date=December 17, 1978| work=The Washington Post| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1978/12/17/j-fred-buzhardt-dies/0ffd34e0-8b33-445c-8c7b-71678d46b2e8/| accessdate=November 3, 2019}}</ref> [[Alexander Haig]], President Nixon's new [[White House Chief of Staff]] following the resignation of [[H. R. Haldeman]], told Buzhardt that his role at the White House would be temporary, and so he retained his title at the Defense Department. His first task as special counsel was to investigate former [[White House Counsel]] [[John Dean]]. Dean, whom the president had fired the previous week, was cooperating with investigators and was believed to possess classified documents. Buzhardt, through his contacts in the intelligence community, determined that the documents were related to the [[Huston Plan]], an illegal proposed expansion of domestic surveillance.<ref>{{Harvnb|Woodward|Bernstein|1976|pp=33–34}}</ref>


It was Buzhardt who inadvertently tipped off [[United States Senate Watergate Committee|Senate Watergate Committee]] investigators about the existence of the [[Nixon White House tapes|White House tapes]]. Nixon and Haig, who were aware of the sound-activated taping system in the Oval Office, had given to Buzhardt, who was not aware of it, detailed accounts of Nixon's meetings with Dean, including verbatim quotes. Buzhardt, in turn, conveyed the material to [[Fred Thompson]], then minority counsel to the Watergate Committee. As recounted by [[Scott Armstrong (journalist)|Scott Armstrong]], the majority staff discovered the transcript and questioned former White House aide [[Alexander Butterfield]] about its provenance. The questions led directly to Butterfield's July 16, 1973 disclosure of the taping system to the committee and then the public. Thompson, informed of the disclosure, in turn, warned Buzhardt, who then learned of it, for the first time, in that indirect way.<ref>{{Harvnb|Armstrong|1989|pp=1237–1242}}</ref> Buzhardt would spend hundreds of hours listening to the tapes to determine their contents before the tapes were conveyed to investigators.<ref>{{harvnb|Garment|2000|p=97}}</ref>
It was Buzhardt who inadvertently tipped off Senate Watergate Committee investigators about the existence of the White House tapes. Nixon and Haig, who were aware of the sound-activated taping system in the Oval Office, had given to Buzhardt, who was not aware of it, detailed accounts of Nixon's meetings with Dean, including verbatim quotes. Buzhardt, in turn, conveyed the material to Fred Thompson, then minority counsel to the Watergate Committee. As recounted by Scott Armstrong, the majority staff discovered the transcript and questioned former White House aide Alexander Butterfield about its provenance. The questions led directly to Butterfield's July 16, 1973 disclosure of the taping system to the committee and then the public. Thompson, informed of the disclosure, in turn, warned Buzhardt, who then learned of it, for the first time, in that indirect way. Buzhardt would spend hundreds of hours listening to the tapes to determine their contents before the tapes were conveyed to investigators.


After Butterfield's revelation of the taping system, Buzhardt was active in resisting efforts by the Watergate [[Special prosecutor]] to obtain them. That November, after Nixon agreed to surrender some tapes, it became Buzhardt's task to inform U.S. District Judge [[John Sirica]], who had issued the subpoenas for the tapes, that one of them contained an 18 1/2 minute erased gap. The tape in question contained a conversation between the president and H. R. Haldeman from June 20, 1972, just a few days after the Watergate break-in.<ref name=WAPO1978MW/>
After Butterfield's revelation of the taping system, Buzhardt was active in resisting efforts by the Watergate Special prosecutor to obtain them. That November, after Nixon agreed to surrender some tapes, it became Buzhardt's task to inform U.S. District Judge [[John Sirica]], who had issued the subpoenas for the tapes, that one of them contained an 18 1/2 minute erased gap. The tape in question contained a conversation between the president and H. R. Haldeman from June 20, 1972, just a few days after the Watergate break-in.<ref name=WAPO1978MW/>


Additionally, Buzhardt was involved in the negotiations that led to Vice President [[Spiro Agnew]]'s resignation after being accused of [[Kickback (bribery)|accepting illegal payments]]. Judah Best, Agnew's attorney, recalled later that Buzhardt threatened to "personally... strap on his old '[[Colt Single Action Army|.45]]' and 'take care' of the situation" if anyone leaked the negotiations to the press. The negotiations did not leak, and Agnew resigned on October 10, 1973.<ref>{{harvnb|Best|1977|p=24}}</ref>
Additionally, Buzhardt was involved in the negotiations that led to Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation after being accused of accepting illegal payments. Judah Best, Agnew's attorney, recalled later that Buzhardt threatened to "personally... strap on his old '.45' and 'take care' of the situation" if anyone leaked the negotiations to the press. The negotiations did not leak, and Agnew resigned on October 10, 1973.


== Later life ==
== Later life ==
In a widely reported interview published in 1975, Buzhardt inquired whether the public would prefer "a competent scoundrel or an honest boob" as president, and he lamented that invasive media coverage inhibited good governance. Although Buzhardt denied it, ''Washington Post'' columnist [[David S. Broder]] interpreted the remark as a thinly-veiled attack on [[Gerald Ford]], Nixon's successor.<ref name="slt19750318" />
In a widely reported interview published in 1975, Buzhardt inquired whether the public would prefer "a competent scoundrel or an honest boob" as president, and he lamented that invasive media coverage inhibited good governance. Although Buzhardt denied it, ''Washington Post'' columnist David S. Broder interpreted the remark as a thinly-veiled attack on Gerald Ford, Nixon's successor.<ref name="slt19750318" />


Buzhardt died of a heart attack at [[Hilton Head, South Carolina]].<ref name="gdn19781217" />
Buzhardt died of a heart attack at Hilton Head, South Carolina.<ref name="gdn19781217" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
Buzhardt co-operated with [[Bob Woodward]] and [[Carl Bernstein]] during the research for a book, which became ''[[The Final Days]]'', by sitting for eight "extensive" interviews.<ref name="wp20050204" /> In the 1989 film adaptation of the book, [[Richard Kiley]] portrayed Buzhardt. Kiley called Buzhardt "one of the mystery men, very much behind the scenes, and yet he played a key role."<ref name="lt19890604" />
Buzhardt co-operated with Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein during the research for a book, which became ''The Final Days'', by sitting for eight "extensive" interviews.<ref name="wp20050204" /> In the 1989 film adaptation of the book, Richard Kiley portrayed Buzhardt. Kiley called Buzhardt "one of the mystery men, very much behind the scenes, and yet he played a key role."<ref name="lt19890604" />


[[Leonard Garment]], his former colleague in the Nixon White House, recalled Buzhardt as "one of the most profoundly moral men I have known."<ref>{{harvnb|Garment|2000|p=98}}</ref>
[[Leonard Garment]], his former colleague in the Nixon White House, recalled Buzhardt as "one of the most profoundly moral men I have known."


Buzhardt's papers are at [[Clemson University]].<ref name="clemson" />
Buzhardt's papers are at Clemson University.<ref name="clemson" />


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="clemson">{{cite web | title=REGISTER OF THE J. FRED BUZHARDT JR. PAPERS, 1923–1984 | author=[[Clemson University]] | url=http://media.clemson.edu/library/special_collections/findingaids/Mss/buzhardt_1.pdf}}</ref>
<ref name="clemson">{{cite web | title=REGISTER OF THE J. FRED BUZHARDT JR. PAPERS, 1923–1984 | author=Clemson University | url=http://media.clemson.edu/library/special_collections/findingaids/Mss/buzhardt_1.pdf}}</ref>
<ref name="dmr19681215">{{cite news|title=Expect Major Overhaul of Defense Agency by Laird |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14445852/laird_dod_overhaul/|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|first=Clark |last=Mollenhoff|authorlink=Clark R. Mollenhoff|date=December 15, 1968|page=6|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = October 16, 2017 }} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="dmr19681215">{{cite news|title=Expect Major Overhaul of Defense Agency by Laird |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14445852/laird_dod_overhaul/|newspaper=Des Moines Register|first=Clark |last=Mollenhoff|authorlink=Clark R. Mollenhoff|date=December 15, 1968|page=6|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = October 16, 2017 }} </ref>
<ref name="gdn19781217">{{cite news|title=Former Nixon Attorney Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1389252/buzhardt_death/|newspaper=[[The Daily News (Texas)|Galveston Daily News]]|date=December 17, 1978|page=2|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = December 6, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="gdn19781217">{{cite news|title=Former Nixon Attorney Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1389252/buzhardt_death/|newspaper=Galveston Daily News|date=December 17, 1978|page=2|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = December 6, 2014 }} </ref>
<ref name="ij19680216">{{cite news|title=Democrats Have 'Forfeited' Right To Govern, Parker Says  |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241169/marshall_parker_campaign/|newspaper=[[The Index-Journal]]|date=February 16, 1968|page=5|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="ij19680216">{{cite news|title=Democrats Have 'Forfeited' Right To Govern, Parker Says  |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241169/marshall_parker_campaign/|newspaper=The Index-Journal|date=February 16, 1968|page=5|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} </ref>
<ref name="ij19680401">{{cite news|title=Mays, Buzhardt Named Alternates  |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241106/buzhardt_convention_delegate/|newspaper=[[The Index-Journal]]|date=April 1, 1968|page=11|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="ij19680401">{{cite news|title=Mays, Buzhardt Named Alternates  |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241106/buzhardt_convention_delegate/|newspaper=The Index-Journal|date=April 1, 1968|page=11|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} </ref>
<ref name="ij19681223">{{cite news|title=Thurmonds Honeymoon At Undisclosed Spot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241118/thurmond_second_marriage/|newspaper=[[The Index-Journal]]|date=December 23, 1968|page=5|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="ij19681223">{{cite news|title=Thurmonds Honeymoon At Undisclosed Spot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241118/thurmond_second_marriage/|newspaper=The Index-Journal|date=December 23, 1968|page=5|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} </ref>
<ref name="ij19950827">{{cite news|title=Buzhardt's widow recalls the Nixon years |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1238430/buzhardt_widow_page_1/|first=Jim|last=Long|newspaper=[[The Index-Journal]]|date=August 27, 1995|page=1|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = November 1, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="ij19950827">{{cite news|title=Buzhardt's widow recalls the Nixon years |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1238430/buzhardt_widow_page_1/|first=Jim|last=Long|newspaper=The Index-Journal|date=August 27, 1995|page=1|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = November 1, 2014 }} </ref>
<ref name="lt19890604">{{cite news | url=http://articles.latimes.com/1989-06-04/entertainment/ca-2512_1_mrs-nixon-pat-nixon-37th-president | title=Reliving Nixon's 'Final Days' : ABC-TV docudrama, based on Woodward/Bernstein book, details the resignation of a President | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=June 4, 1989 | accessdate=1 November 2014 | author=Michaelson, Judith}}</ref>
<ref name="lt19890604">{{cite news | url=http://articles.latimes.com/1989-06-04/entertainment/ca-2512_1_mrs-nixon-pat-nixon-37th-president | title=Reliving Nixon's 'Final Days' : ABC-TV docudrama, based on Woodward/Bernstein book, details the resignation of a President | work=Los Angeles Times | date=June 4, 1989 | accessdate=1 November 2014 | author=Michaelson, Judith}}</ref>
<ref name="pi19651007">{{cite news|title=New Aide For Sen. Thurmond|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241355/buzhardt_thurmond_aide/|newspaper=[[The Progress-Index]]|date=October 7, 1965|page=9|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="pi19651007">{{cite news|title=New Aide For Sen. Thurmond|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1241355/buzhardt_thurmond_aide/|newspaper=The Progress-Index|date=October 7, 1965|page=9|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = November 2, 2014 }} </ref>
<ref name="slt19750318">{{cite news|title=It's Tough Choice: 'An Honest Boob—Or Competent Scoundrel?' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1388510/buzhardt_broder/|newspaper=[[Salt Lake Tribune]]|date=March 18, 1975|page=38|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = December 6, 2014 | first=David S. | last=Broder | authorlink=David S. Broder}} {{Open access}}</ref>
<ref name="slt19750318">{{cite news|title=It's Tough Choice: 'An Honest Boob—Or Competent Scoundrel?' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1388510/buzhardt_broder/|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|date=March 18, 1975|page=38|via = Newspapers.com|accessdate = December 6, 2014 | first=David S. | last=Broder | authorlink=David S. Broder}} </ref>
<ref name="wp20050204">{{cite web|title=Watergate Papers Go Public; University of Texas to Unveil Woodward- Bernstein Collection|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1862.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329064600/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1862.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2015|publisher=[[Washington Post]] {{Subscription required|via=HighBeam}}|access-date=November 1, 2014|date=February 4, 2005|first=Sylvia|last=Moreno}}</ref>
<ref name="wp20050204">{{cite web|title=Watergate Papers Go Public; University of Texas to Unveil Woodward- Bernstein Collection|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1862.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329064600/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1862.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2015|publisher=Washington Post {{Subscription required|via=HighBeam}}|access-date=November 1, 2014|date=February 4, 2005|first=Sylvia|last=Moreno}}</ref>
}}
}}


Line 85: Line 60:
* {{cite book | last1=Bass | first1=Jack | authorlink1=Jack Bass | last2=Thompson | first2=Marilyn W. | title=Ol' Strom: An Unauthorized Biography of Strom Thurmond | year=1998 | publisher=Longstreet Press | isbn=1-56352-523-2 | oclc=40389243 | ref=harv | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/olstromunauthori00bass }}
* {{cite book | last1=Bass | first1=Jack | authorlink1=Jack Bass | last2=Thompson | first2=Marilyn W. | title=Ol' Strom: An Unauthorized Biography of Strom Thurmond | year=1998 | publisher=Longstreet Press | isbn=1-56352-523-2 | oclc=40389243 | ref=harv | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/olstromunauthori00bass }}
* {{cite journal | last=Best | first=Judah | date=Spring 1977 | title=The Trial Lawyer's Role in the Sensational Case | journal=Litigation | volume=3 | issue=3 | pages=22–25 | ref=harv}}
* {{cite journal | last=Best | first=Judah | date=Spring 1977 | title=The Trial Lawyer's Role in the Sensational Case | journal=Litigation | volume=3 | issue=3 | pages=22–25 | ref=harv}}
* {{cite book | last=Garment | first=Leonard | authorlink=Leonard Garment | title=In Search of Deep Throat: The Greatest Political Mystery of Our Time | publisher=[[Basic Books]] | year=2000 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YSTYbKhSDOYC | isbn=978-0-465-02613-5 | oclc=44718013 | ref=harv}}
* {{cite book | last=Garment | first=Leonard | authorlink=Leonard Garment | title=In Search of Deep Throat: The Greatest Political Mystery of Our Time | publisher=Basic Books  | year=2000 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YSTYbKhSDOYC | isbn=978-0-465-02613-5 | oclc=44718013 | ref=harv}}
* {{cite book | last1=Woodward | first1=Bob | authorlink=Bob Woodward | last2=Bernstein | first2=Carl | authorlink2=Carl Bernstein | title=[[The Final Days]] | publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] | year=1976 | location=New York | isbn=0-671-22298-8 | oclc=1975233 | ref=harv}}
* {{cite book | last1=Woodward | first1=Bob | authorlink=Bob Woodward | last2=Bernstein | first2=Carl | authorlink2=Carl Bernstein | title=The Final Days | publisher=Simon & Schuster | year=1976 | location=New York | isbn=0-671-22298-8 | oclc=1975233 | ref=harv}}
 
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Buzhardt, J. Fred}}
[[Category:Nixon Impeachment Defense Team]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Greenwood, South Carolina]]
[[Category:South Carolina Republicans]]
[[Category:University of South Carolina School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:United States Military Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Nixon administration personnel involved in the Watergate scandal]]
[[Category:People from McCormick, South Carolina]]

Latest revision as of 14:46, January 27, 2020

J. Fred Buzhardt
J Fred Buzhardt.jpg
Alma Mater University of South Carolina School of Law

Joseph Fred Buzhardt Jr (February 21, 1924 – December 16, 1978) was an American attorney and public servant. He is best known for serving as special White House Counsel to Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. Previously he had served as General Counsel of the Department of Defense and as a legislative aide to Senator Strom Thurmond.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Buzhardt was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, to Joseph Fred Buzhardt Sr., and Edna Hardin Buzhardt. The family later moved to McCormick, South Carolina, and Buzhardt graduated from McCormick High School with honors.[1]

Early career[edit | edit source]

He first attended Wofford College from 1941 to 1943 before he was appointed to the US Military Academy. He graduated from West Point in 1946 and then served in the US Air Force. Following his military service, he attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and earned a law degree in 1952. He then returned to McCormick and entered private practice, alongside his father.[2]

Buzhardt left private practice in 1958 to become a legislative assistant to Senator Strom Thurmond.[2] During the 1964 presidential campaign, Buzhardt, along with William J. Baroody Jr. and Anthony J. Jurich, advised the Republican National Committee on military affairs.[3] Buzhardt succeeded Harry S. Dent Sr., as Thurmond's administrative assistant in 1965.[4] Buzhardt left Thurmond's staff in 1966, but the two remained close.[2]

In 1968 Dent and Buzhardt attempted to talk Thurmond out of his proposed marriage to Nancy Moore, a former beauty queen and 44 years his junior. Their efforts were unsuccessful and apparently did not affect either man's relationship with Thurmond. Buzhardt was one of only 35 people, 26 of whom were family, in attendance at Thurmond's wedding to Moore in December 1968.[5] According to Dent, Buzhardt was "like a son" to Thurmond, who had practiced law with Buzhardt's father.

Buzhardt stayed active in Republican party politics in South Carolina, serving as Marshall Parker's campaign manager for the latter's unsuccessful bid for US senator in 1968.[6] That year, Buzhardt was named as an alternate delegate to the Republic National Convention, which would nominate Richard Nixon for the presidency.[7] After the Republican victory in November, incoming Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird tapped Buzhardt for his staff.[3]

Watergate[edit | edit source]

Buzhardt was named as special White House counsel for Watergate matters on May 10, 1973.[8] Alexander Haig, President Nixon's new White House Chief of Staff following the resignation of H. R. Haldeman, told Buzhardt that his role at the White House would be temporary, and so he retained his title at the Defense Department. His first task as special counsel was to investigate former White House Counsel John Dean. Dean, whom the president had fired the previous week, was cooperating with investigators and was believed to possess classified documents. Buzhardt, through his contacts in the intelligence community, determined that the documents were related to the Huston Plan, an illegal proposed expansion of domestic surveillance.

It was Buzhardt who inadvertently tipped off Senate Watergate Committee investigators about the existence of the White House tapes. Nixon and Haig, who were aware of the sound-activated taping system in the Oval Office, had given to Buzhardt, who was not aware of it, detailed accounts of Nixon's meetings with Dean, including verbatim quotes. Buzhardt, in turn, conveyed the material to Fred Thompson, then minority counsel to the Watergate Committee. As recounted by Scott Armstrong, the majority staff discovered the transcript and questioned former White House aide Alexander Butterfield about its provenance. The questions led directly to Butterfield's July 16, 1973 disclosure of the taping system to the committee and then the public. Thompson, informed of the disclosure, in turn, warned Buzhardt, who then learned of it, for the first time, in that indirect way. Buzhardt would spend hundreds of hours listening to the tapes to determine their contents before the tapes were conveyed to investigators.

After Butterfield's revelation of the taping system, Buzhardt was active in resisting efforts by the Watergate Special prosecutor to obtain them. That November, after Nixon agreed to surrender some tapes, it became Buzhardt's task to inform U.S. District Judge John Sirica, who had issued the subpoenas for the tapes, that one of them contained an 18 1/2 minute erased gap. The tape in question contained a conversation between the president and H. R. Haldeman from June 20, 1972, just a few days after the Watergate break-in.[8]

Additionally, Buzhardt was involved in the negotiations that led to Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation after being accused of accepting illegal payments. Judah Best, Agnew's attorney, recalled later that Buzhardt threatened to "personally... strap on his old '.45' and 'take care' of the situation" if anyone leaked the negotiations to the press. The negotiations did not leak, and Agnew resigned on October 10, 1973.

Later life[edit | edit source]

In a widely reported interview published in 1975, Buzhardt inquired whether the public would prefer "a competent scoundrel or an honest boob" as president, and he lamented that invasive media coverage inhibited good governance. Although Buzhardt denied it, Washington Post columnist David S. Broder interpreted the remark as a thinly-veiled attack on Gerald Ford, Nixon's successor.[9]

Buzhardt died of a heart attack at Hilton Head, South Carolina.[10]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Buzhardt co-operated with Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein during the research for a book, which became The Final Days, by sitting for eight "extensive" interviews.[11] In the 1989 film adaptation of the book, Richard Kiley portrayed Buzhardt. Kiley called Buzhardt "one of the mystery men, very much behind the scenes, and yet he played a key role."[12]

Leonard Garment, his former colleague in the Nixon White House, recalled Buzhardt as "one of the most profoundly moral men I have known."

Buzhardt's papers are at Clemson University.[2]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Long, Jim Buzhardt's widow recalls the Nixon years, The Index-Journal  (August 27, 1995)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 REGISTER OF THE J. FRED BUZHARDT JR. PAPERS, 1923–1984,
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mollenhoff, Clark Expect Major Overhaul of Defense Agency by Laird, Des Moines Register  (December 15, 1968)
  4. ↑  New Aide For Sen. Thurmond, The Progress-Index  (October 7, 1965)
  5. ↑  Thurmonds Honeymoon At Undisclosed Spot, The Index-Journal  (December 23, 1968)
  6. ↑  Democrats Have 'Forfeited' Right To Govern, Parker Says, The Index-Journal  (February 16, 1968)
  7. ↑  Mays, Buzhardt Named Alternates, The Index-Journal  (April 1, 1968)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Weil, Martin J. Fred Buzhardt Dies, The Washington Post  (December 17, 1978)
  9. ↑ Broder, David S. It's Tough Choice: 'An Honest Boob—Or Competent Scoundrel?', Salt Lake Tribune  (March 18, 1975)
  10. ↑  Former Nixon Attorney Dies, Galveston Daily News  (December 17, 1978)
  11. ↑ Moreno, Sylvia Watergate Papers Go Public; University of Texas to Unveil Woodward- Bernstein Collection, (February 4, 2005)
  12. ↑  Reliving Nixon's 'Final Days' : ABC-TV docudrama, based on Woodward/Bernstein book, details the resignation of a President, Los Angeles Times  (June 4, 1989)

Sources[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://www.wikilawschool.net/w/index.php?title=J._Fred_Buzhardt&oldid=30136"