The Trial of the Chicago 7：They Put Protest on Trial

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]Mr. Clark, what was your occupation in the summer of 1968?

[00:00:03]>> I was the attorney general of the United States.

[00:00:05]>> Now, did you receive a phone call at your office at 11:50 a.m. on September 10th of last year? And from whom was that call?

[00:00:12]>> President Johnson.

[00:00:13]>> Will you state what President Johnson said to you and what was said to him?

[00:00:17]>> At this point, we will object.

[00:00:18]>> I'll sustain the objection.

[00:00:20]>> Please, the court. This is Voadier.

[00:00:22]>> There's a question of attorney client privilege to consider.

[00:00:24]>> President isn't a client of the attorney general.

[00:00:27]>> Excuse me, sir. The president isn't a client of the attorney general. Hearing from the witness on this point is highly irregular.

[00:00:33]>> He's just stated his willingness, you know. So, for the purposes of one, dear, I I'll hear the answer.

[00:00:38]>> Did President Johnson ask you a question in that phone call?

[00:00:41]>> The president asked me if I intended to seek any indictments related to the riots the previous month in Chicago. I told him we wouldn't be seeking indictments.

[00:00:49]>> And can you tell us why?

[00:00:50]>> An investigation by our criminal division led to the conclusion that the riots were started by the Chicago Police Department.