Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Former Nixon Official David R. Young Dies at 89

1/6/2026

50 3

Summary

Story summary

David R. Young, a former White House national security official, died December 24, 2025, at age 89 in Oxford, England.
Young led the Plumbers unit formed to stop leaks of classified information.
He joined the Nixon administration in 1970 and worked under Henry Kissinger.
The Plumbers carried out the break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist to discredit Ellsberg after he leaked the Pentagon Papers.

1 of 1

Story summary

David R. Young, a former White House national security official, died December 24, 2025, at age 89 in Oxford, England.
Young led the Plumbers unit formed to stop leaks of classified information.
He joined the Nixon administration in 1970 and worked under Henry Kissinger.
The Plumbers carried out the break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist to discredit Ellsberg after he leaked the Pentagon Papers.