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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to declassify government files related to the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and RFK. This decision fulfills a campaign pledge Trump made, emphasizing transparency and accountability in these historical investigations.

President John F. Kennedy was killed in Dallas, Texas in 1963. Civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., and Senator Robert F. Kennedy were both assassinated in 1968.

https://usaherald.com/a-flurry-of-trump-executive-orders-and-controversial-pardons-mark-inauguration-day/

The Executive Order and Its Significance

Trump’s executive order highlights the importance of public access to these records, stating: “More than 50 years after the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Federal Government has not released to the public all of its records related to those events. Their families and the American people deserve transparency and truth.”

Trump added, “I’m going to release them immediately. We’re going to see the information. We are looking at it right now.”

A Long Road to Declassification

During his first term, Trump authorized the release of tens of thousands of documents related to JFK’s assassination.

Certain files remained classified after agencies such as the CIA and FBI raised national security concerns. Trump’s Thursday order specifically directs the release of all remaining records pertaining to these events.

Upon signing the order, Trump remarked, “That’s a big one, huh? A lot of people are waiting for this for a long—for years, for decades.”

The JFK Files: A History of Controversy
The "JFK files" include thousands of investigative reports, memos, and communications related to President Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963.

The government’s conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, leading to the passage of the JFK Records Act of 1992. This act mandated the release of all related documents by October 26, 2017, unless national security risks were cited.

While Trump began releasing files after the October 2017 deadline, he cited concerns about revealing sensitive sources and methods as reasons for delaying full disclosure.

Including RFK and MLK Assassinations

Trump’s order extended beyond JFK to include files related to Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

The executive order stated, “Although no Act of Congress directs the release of information pertaining to the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I have determined that the release of all records in the Federal Government’s possession pertaining to each of those assassinations is also in the public interest.”

What’s Next for the JFK, MLK, and RFK Files?

The order tasked the director of national intelligence and the attorney general with presenting a plan within 15 days for the “full and complete release” of JFK-related records.

The exact timeline for the release remained unclear. Trump’s announcement garnered significant public attention, with many eagerly awaiting insights from these long-classified documents.

Reactions from Public Figures

The decision sparked a range of reactions. Radio and television host Michael Smerconish noted on X (formerly Twitter), “I’ve long wanted to see the complete JFK and MLK files, but make no mistake, right now, this is the ultimate shiny object.”

Meanwhile, left-wing commentator Cenk Uygur expressed rare praise for Trump, writing, “Trump ordering the release of government files on JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations is a great thing. I don’t know how much of the real evidence is in there, but I’ll take it.”

Democratic political strategist Mike Nellis echoed the sentiment, saying, “Releasing these files is a win for transparency and accountability.”

The Biden Administration’s Role
The push for transparency didn’t end with Trump’s first term. President Joe Biden’s administration also released thousands of documents related to JFK’s assassination.

 White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated in July 2023 that 99% of JFK-related records were available to the public through the National Archives and Records Administration. 

Between 2021 and 2023, Biden declassified over 16,000 documents.

The total declassification of these files marks a significant step in uncovering the truths surrounding some of the most pivotal and tragic moments in American history.

While questions remain about the timing and completeness of the releases, the commitment to transparency underscores the importance of public access to historical records.