President Donald Trump has issued a directive for the declassification of documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., reigniting public interest in these landmark historical events. The announcement, made from the Oval Office on Thursday, seeks to address decades of speculation and calls for transparency about these tragic events.
“This is something people have been waiting for, not just for years, but for decades,” Trump stated. “It’s time to reveal everything.” The order tasks intelligence and justice officials with developing a plan for declassification within 15 days. However, the actual release of the documents may face hurdles, as past efforts have been met with delays and resistance from federal agencies.
The three assassinations, which occurred during the 1960s, are among the most debated events in U.S. history. President John F. Kennedy was killed in Dallas in 1963 while riding in a motorcade, and the Warren Commission later concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. This conclusion, however, has been the subject of public skepticism for decades. Polls show that many Americans believe others may have been involved in the assassination, with alternative theories pointing to government agencies, organized crime, or other actors.
Five years later, Robert F. Kennedy, then a presidential candidate, was fatally shot in Los Angeles. Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian, was arrested and convicted for the crime. However, RFK’s son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has publicly expressed doubts about Sirhan’s guilt, arguing that evidence points to a broader conspiracy. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader, was assassinated in Memphis in 1968. James Earl Ray, convicted of the crime, also became a focal point for theories suggesting he was part of a larger plot rather than acting alone.
Although prior administrations have released millions of documents related to these cases, thousands remain redacted or withheld. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 mandated the release of all JFK-related documents by 2017, but national security concerns delayed full compliance. Trump’s executive order emphasizes that continued secrecy is no longer justified.
Recent disclosures have already added complexity to the official narratives. In 2023, a former Secret Service agent revealed that he had removed a bullet from JFK’s limousine, raising further questions about the “single bullet theory” central to the Warren Commission’s findings. Additionally, documents released in recent years show the CIA closely monitored Oswald prior to the assassination, fueling speculation about its involvement.
During the announcement, Trump handed the signing pen to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., underscoring the personal significance of the order. Kennedy Jr. has long been a vocal critic of the official explanations surrounding his uncle’s and father’s deaths, asserting that critical details remain hidden from the public.
While the directive has been praised for its potential to bring clarity, experts caution against expecting definitive answers. “The process is just beginning, and how much gets revealed will depend on how this plan is implemented,” said Jefferson Morley, an investigative journalist specializing in JFK’s assassination. He added that some records may remain classified despite public demand for full disclosure.
Trump’s move has rekindled public interest in resolving the mysteries surrounding these events. Whether this initiative will shed new light on decades-old questions or leave lingering doubts remains to be seen.
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