Trump Orders Declassification of JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassination Files
In a significant move towards transparency within the U.S. government, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at declassifying all remaining documents related to the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. This decision comes amidst a long-standing public demand for clarity regarding these historical events that have spawned numerous conspiracy theories.
On Thursday, while signing the order at the White House, Trump remarked, "This is a big one. A lot of people have been waiting for this for years for decades," indicating the level of anticipation surrounding the release of these documents. The executive order mandates the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to formulate a plan within 15 days to release the JFK records and a timeline of 45 days for the other cases.
This move aligns with Trump's previous commitments during his reelection campaign to unveil the final batches of classified materials concerning JFK’s assassination, which took place on November 22, 1963. Although he had made a similar promise in his first term, he ultimately chose to withhold some documents at the behest of the CIA and FBI due to national security concerns.
The executive order asserts that the families of the slain leaders and the American public deserve complete transparency and the truth surrounding these pivotal moments in history. It underscores the national interest in releasing all records related to these assassinations without delay. As it stands, a mere few thousand of the millions of documents concerning JFK's assassination remain classified, though experts suggest that the public should not expect groundbreaking revelations from what is yet to be disclosed.
The assassination of Kennedy has long captivated the American public, as evidenced by surveys revealing widespread skepticism regarding the official narratives, including doubts about whether Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Similarly, the assassinations of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, occurring within two months of each other, continue to raise questions, with lingering doubts regarding the circumstances of their deaths.
Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of JFK, has openly challenged the official accounts concerning the assassinations of his uncle and father. He has suggested the involvement of the CIA in both killings, reflecting a broader skepticism within certain circles regarding government narratives.
In a brief ceremony, Trump handed the pen used to sign the order to an aide and directed it to be given to RFK Jr., further intertwining family legacy with the pursuit of truth over the historical narrative.
This executive order is part of a larger pattern observed in the early days of Trump’s presidency, where he has implemented a series of orders aimed at overturning previous policies enacted under former President Joe Biden, including pardoning individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot.
As more information becomes accessible regarding these historical assassinations, many await the implications of the unveiled documents on public perception and understanding of these events.
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