U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the release of all remaining classified records related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This decision, long-awaited by historians and conspiracy theorists alike, has resulted in the FBI uncovering nearly 2,400 previously unseen documents, sparking renewed debate over the events surrounding Kennedy’s assassination.
The Discovery
The FBI recently disclosed to the White House that a review prompted by Trump’s January 23 executive order led to the discovery of 14,000 pages of new documents, including 2,400 never-before-seen records. These files had not been provided to the JFK Assassination Records Review Board, which was originally tasked with reviewing and disclosing documents under the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992.
According to Axios, while the contents of these newly found records remain undisclosed, their existence has raised serious questions about government transparency and the previous reluctance to release all assassination-related materials. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) recently submitted its disclosure plan under Trump’s order, further amplifying concerns regarding decades-long secrecy surrounding one of the most scrutinized moments in U.S. history.
Government Secrecy and Conspiracy Theories
The revelation of these files comes amid growing frustration over the government’s persistent withholding of information. Although the JFK Records Act mandated full disclosure by 2017, exemptions allowed intelligence agencies to continue redacting key details, citing concerns over national security and intelligence-gathering methods.
Trump’s order explicitly challenged these justifications, stating: “The families and the American people deserve transparency and truth,” and that the continued withholding of such records “is not consistent with the public interest.”
Jefferson Morley, a leading expert on the Kennedy assassination and vice president of the nonpartisan Mary Ferrell Foundation, hailed the FBI’s response to Trump’s directive, stating in an interview with Axios, “The FBI is finally saying, ‘Let’s respond to the president’s order,’ instead of keeping the secrecy going.”
Impact of the Newly Released Files
While experts caution that the disclosure of these records is unlikely to provide definitive proof of whether Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone or was part of a broader conspiracy, the documents may contain crucial insights into intelligence operations at the time. Historians and researchers anticipate that the records could shed new light on potential links between the CIA, FBI, and foreign governments, as well as undisclosed surveillance or intelligence activity tied to Oswald.
One of the key figures pushing for the release is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump has nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services. RFK Jr. has long asserted that both his father’s and uncle’s assassinations were the result of a larger conspiracy, making the disclosure of these files a significant moment in his long-standing campaign for transparency.
Challenges and Resistance
Despite Trump’s executive order, intelligence agencies are still advocating for redactions, Axios reported, citing sources within the government. Some officials argue that releasing the records in full would compromise intelligence sources and methods, even decades after the events.
A Trump advisor told Axios, “Don’t be surprised if all these records just suddenly wind up online. He wants to move on and call this a promise kept.” Meanwhile, a White House official reportedly stated, “When POTUS hears about this stonewalling, he’s gonna hit the roof.”
Adding to the controversy, the Mary Ferrell Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit against the Biden administration, accusing government agencies of withholding key documents, including CIA files related to covert operations chief George Joannides and jailhouse recordings of New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello, who was suspected of having ties to Oswald.
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Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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