who authorized the creation of the plumbers
July 20, 1971: Ehrlichman Announces Creation of âPlumbersâ. Nixon aide John Ehrlichman reports that he has successfully created the special investigations unit ordered by the president (see Late June-July 1971). His first choice to head the unit, speechwriter Pat Buchanan, refused the position.
Late June-July 1971: Nixon Authorizes âPlumbers,â Orders Media Leaks to Smear Ellsberg. President Nixon authorizes the creation of a âspecial investigations unit,â later nicknamed the âPlumbers,â to root out and seal media leaks.