Everything Everywhere Daily · Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Following the leak of the Pentagon Papers, President Nixon formed a secret team known as the 'White House plumbers' to prevent further leaks and deal with political opponents. This unit engaged in unauthorized break-ins, such as attempting to steal Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatric files from his doctor, and even considered drugging Ellsberg.
“After losing in the Supreme Court, Nixon took even more drastic steps to stop leaks. He was especially worried about files on the Chnault affair.”
“The team included G. Gordon Liddy and aides Egil Krogh and David Young. Their plan to break into the Brookings Institution didn't work, but the group was repurposed to stop leaks. And they became known as the White House plumbers, a secret team meant to prevent leaks like the Pentagon Papers.”
“Their mission was to steal the medical files of Daniel Ellsberg, the man who leaked Pentagon Papers. Nixon hoped the psychiatrist's files would have something damaging that could discredit Ellsberg.”