This Day In 1970's History: Thursday January 24, 1974
- Egil Krogh, chief of the White House "plumbers" unit, exonerated President Nixon of any involvement regarding the break-in of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office. Krogh received a six-month prison sentence.
Krogh said that John Dean misunderstood his explanation of the origin of the orders for the plumbers unit. Krogh didn't directly accuse John Ehrlichman of being involved, but he didn't exonerate him either. Krogh refused to comment on the possibility of the President being impeached. The White House was buoyant over Krogh's statement. [CBS]
- Defense Secretary James Schlesinger discussed the investigation into leaks of top secret information from the National Security Council to the Pentagon. Schlesinger backed up Admiral Thomas Moorer and stated that no spy ring existed in his opinion. Schlesinger admitted that "improprieties" existed but no illegalities. Schlesinger had no kind words for the White House plumbers unit. [CBS]
- Senator Mike Mansfield criticized Defense Secretary Schlesinger for injecting his personal views into sensitive foreign affairs. [CBS]
- Peter Rodino, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said that information from the special Watergate prosecutor's office may be forthcoming. Rodino believes that Leon Jaworski will find a way to cooperate with the committee's need for information. Three possible avenues are open to the committee to obtain the necessary information for its impeachment probe. They include legislation, a request to Judge John Sirica or subpoenas. [CBS]
- Nearly four years ago, President Nixon made some statements during the impeachment inquiry of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas that haunt him now. The President made a commitment in those statements to comply fully with any impeachment investigation by the House. Press secretary Ron Ziegler refused to answer questions regarding the President's thoughts on impeachment now that he is the one under investigation. [CBS]
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