Trump administration releases classified files regarding JFK assasination

The Trump administration has made thousands of pages of government files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) publicly available, reigniting public interest and scholarly investigation into one of the most pivotal moments in U.S. history. On Tuesday, the National Archives confirmed the release of these long-awaited documents, fulfilling a promise made by former President Donald Trump in January to declassify all remaining records on the assassination.

In total, the release consists of about 80,000 pages of previously classified files, with roughly 63,000 pages made available online in two batches. The documents can now be accessed both digitally and in person. The release was ordered by Trump after he signed an executive order calling for the full disclosure of remaining files on JFK’s assassination, along with records related to the deaths of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

The move has sparked renewed curiosity, as historians, researchers, and online sleuths rush to uncover new insights into the tragic events of November 22, 1963, when Kennedy was fatally shot while visiting Dallas, Texas. Despite over six decades of investigation and popular intrigue, the circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in mystery, with conspiracy theories about his assassination still widely debated.

A 2023 Gallup poll revealed that 65 percent of Americans still question the findings of the Warren Commission, which concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy. Among those surveyed, 20 percent believed Oswald conspired with the U.S. government, while 16 percent thought he collaborated with the CIA. These figures reflect the ongoing public skepticism regarding the official narrative.

While scholars who have begun reviewing the newly released documents have reported no major revelations that challenge the established understanding of Oswald’s actions, the full significance of the files remains to be seen. The latest release adds to a growing body of documents made available under the JFK Records Act of 1992, which mandates the public disclosure of records related to the assassination. Prior to Tuesday’s release, over 99 percent of the approximately 320,000 files had already been made public.

However, the release has not been without delay. During his presidency, Trump initially withheld thousands of files after requests from agencies like the CIA and FBI for additional time to review sensitive materials. The Biden administration also made thousands of additional documents available in 2022.

As researchers continue to sift through the new material, the public’s appetite for answers about JFK’s death remains undiminished, with many hoping these files will offer a clearer picture of one of the most debated events in American history.