Warren Commission: Conversation with J. Edgar Hoover

Speaker: Lyndon B Johnson
Delivered On: 11/29/1963
Place: Washington, DC
Subject:
Audio/Video Available:

Description: In the second conversation between
LBJ
and J. Edgar Hoover (Director, FBI), LBJ briefs Hoover on the presidential
commission and solicits reactions to possible membership. Hoover reports on Lee
Harvey Oswald’s visit to the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City and information on Jack
Ruby. Hoover also briefs LBJ on ballistics results, reconstructs assassination events,
and shares intelligence reports on Oswald. LBJ and Hoover discuss safety concerns,
including the use of a bullet-proof car at the LBJ ranch. Johnson expresses confidence
in Hoover’s judgment. Here, we’ve included selected telephone conversations concerning
the Special Commission to Investigate the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy (the Warren Commission).
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, TX on November 22, 1963. Shortly
thereafter, the House of Representatives and the Senate considered independent investigations
of the assassination and the murder of Kennedy’s putative assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.
To trump these congressional efforts, President Lyndon Johnson decided to form a
presidential commission to investigate the assassination and Oswald’s death. These
conversations document the formation of the commission — indentified by the popular
title “The Warren Commission” — because the chairman was Chief Justice Earl Warren.

The selected conversations you will hear document Johnson’s extraordinary persuasiveness.
The matchup of personalities called on all of Johnson’s ability. Appeals to patriotism,
family, and honor were interspersed in his conversations. Some people were honored,
others were reluctant despite the Johnson treatment. In the end, all served. These
conversations explain how Johnson cobbled the committee together. (The conversations
are in chronological order.)

A comment about the recordings. These recordings vary dramatically in audio quality.
The recordings were made on Dictaphone Dictabelt equipment. You will hear many imperfections.
Sometimes the audio may be inaudible. This is not the fault of your RealAudio Player.
The problem lies in the source material. Do not be discouraged, for there are riches
to be found here that will illuminate those sad and frightening days following Kennedy’s
death.

References:
Transcript/Log:
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