Trump orders full declassification of JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr assassination files

Trump 2.0 signs order to release records of John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday mandating the full declassification of all remaining secret files related to the assassination of President John F Kennedy, as well as documents concerning the murders of Robert F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. This move aims to address decades of public speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding these historic events.

A long-awaited disclosure

“This is a big one,” Trump remarked while signing the order in the Oval Office. “A lot of people have been waiting for this for years, for decades. Everything will be revealed.” He handed the pen used for signing to an aide, instructing it to be given to Robert F Kennedy Jr., JFK’s nephew and Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The order calls for the “complete release” of JFK-related records without redactions, a step Trump refrained from taking during his first term, citing national security concerns.

Previous releases and lingering secrets

The US National Archives has previously released the majority of the JFK assassination records, with around 97% of the five million pages made public by December 2022. However, thousands of documents were withheld due to requests from agencies like the CIA and FBI.

The Warren Commission’s 1964 conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald, a former Marine sharpshooter, acted alone in assassinating Kennedy has not quelled widespread skepticism. Conspiracy theories persist, fueled by slow government disclosures and alternative narratives.

Conspiracy theories and RFK Jr.’s claims

Robert F Kennedy Jr., a prominent conspiracy theorist, has claimed there is “overwhelming evidence” that the CIA was involved in his uncle’s assassination and possibly his father’s murder in 1968. Trump’s executive order is seen as a nod to RFK Jr., who dropped his independent presidential bid to support Trump.

RFK Jr.’s father, Robert F Kennedy, was killed while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian-born Jordanian, was convicted of the murder, though RFK Jr. has expressed doubts about the official narrative.

Other assassinations and conspiracies

The executive order also includes files related to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968. Civil rights leader King was killed in Memphis, Tennessee, and James Earl Ray was convicted of his murder. However, King’s family has previously voiced skepticism about Ray’s involvement.

Challenges and future implications

Kennedy scholars remain doubtful that the remaining files will unveil groundbreaking revelations. Many believe the withheld documents are unlikely to resolve long-standing questions or put conspiracy theories to rest.

Nevertheless, Trump’s order underscores a commitment to transparency, with the hope of closing one of the most controversial chapters in US history. The release could also impact ongoing debates about the role of intelligence agencies and the enduring influence of conspiracy theories in American politics.

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