Richard Nixon actually said...

We did not inform other members of the Court because we felt it was only proper to inform the Chief Justice under the circumstances.

Third person, right.

What I was interested in was his background, his general legal philosophy, which, as I said, to me is close to mine.

As far as the way you write it, I would like for you to write it as: 'In an informal meeting with members of the White House press corps in ...