Trump Orders Full Declassification of JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassination Records
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Trump Orders Full Declassification of JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassination Records

Executive order mandates release of classified documents, aiming to resolve decades of speculation.

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to declassify thousands of government documents related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This move fulfills a campaign promise Trump made during his reelection campaign, signaling a push for transparency in some of the nation’s most scrutinized historical events.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump stated, “Everything will be revealed.”

The executive order, signed in the first week of Trump’s second term, directs the director of national intelligence and the attorney general to create a plan within 15 days to declassify the remaining JFK records and within 45 days for the RFK and MLK cases. However, it remains unclear when the records will actually be released to the public.

Trump’s Commitment to Transparency

During his first term, Trump pledged to release all records related to JFK’s assassination but withheld some documents, citing national security concerns raised by the CIA and FBI. This time, Trump appears intent on following through entirely, handing the pen used to sign the order to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for health secretary in his administration and nephew of President Kennedy.

JFK Assassination Records

President Kennedy was fatally shot in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald, according to official accounts. Despite extensive investigations, including the Warren Commission, doubts have persisted about the involvement of additional conspirators.

The federal government began collecting assassination-related documents in a single archive during the 1990s. Though millions of pages have been released, researchers estimate that around 3,000 documents, many tied to the CIA, remain classified.

“These records could offer new insights or confirm suspicions about intelligence operations during the Cold War,” said Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Previous Releases and Remaining Gaps

The National Archives has disclosed a majority of the documents, revealing details about Oswald’s visits to the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City shortly before the assassination. However, critical documents, including some tax returns and intelligence reports, were exempted from disclosure requirements.

Broader Scope of Declassification

The order also encompasses records related to Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1968 and Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination that same year. Both events, like JFK’s death, have been the subject of conspiracy theories and public intrigue for decades.

“This is about restoring public trust and addressing unanswered questions,” Trump said during the signing.

Looking Ahead

While the declassification process has begun, researchers and historians caution that some documents may remain unavailable due to past destruction or legal exemptions. Nevertheless, Trump’s order represents a major step toward resolving the mysteries surrounding these pivotal moments in American history.