President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to declassify documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. This move aims to provide transparency and truth to the American public. The order mandates the Director of National Intelligence to formulate a release plan within 15 days for JFK files and 45 days for RFK and MLK files. While the exact contents remain unknown, the release is expected to satisfy historians and conspiracy theorists alike.
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to declassify documents concerning the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. This decision is part of a long-standing promise to bring transparency to these historical events. The order requires the Director of National Intelligence to present a plan for the release of JFK files within 15 days, and for RFK and MLK files within 45 days. Despite the excitement surrounding this announcement, the exact content and potential impact of these documents remain uncertain.
President Trump's executive order mandates the declassification of assassination-related documents for JFK, RFK, and MLK. The Director of National Intelligence is tasked with presenting a plan for the release of JFK files within 15 days, and RFK and MLK files within 45 days [1]. This move is part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, which required the release of such documents by 2017, though extensions were granted by both Trump and Biden in subsequent years [4].
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions. JFK's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, criticized the move as a 'political prop,' while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised it for promoting transparency [1]. The King family expressed a desire to review the files privately before their public release [2]. The FBI has stated it will comply with the executive order and work with other agencies to identify relevant records [2].
The declassification of these documents is part of a broader effort to shed light on historical events that have been shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories. The JFK assassination, in particular, has been the subject of extensive investigation and speculation. The Warren Commission initially concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, but subsequent inquiries suggested the possibility of a conspiracy [1]. Previous document releases have included FBI memos and other government communications, but many documents remain classified [3].
The declassification of documents related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK marks a significant step towards transparency and truth, fulfilling a promise made by President Trump. While the exact contents of these documents remain unknown, the move has sparked both anticipation and skepticism. As the plans for their release are formulated, historians and the public alike await new insights into these pivotal moments in American history.
""Declassification is using JFK as a political prop, when he’s not here to punch back. There’s nothing heroic about it."" - Jack Schlossberg
""We hope to be provided the opportunity to review the files as a family prior to its public release."" - King Family