Trump signs order to declassify files on JFK, MLK assassinations
President Trump made good on his promise on Thursday by signing an executive order to declassify files on the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. The move comes after Trump had pledged to release the previously-classified documents during his 2024 campaign.
In the Oval Office of the White House, Trump confidently declared, “Everything will be revealed,” as he put pen to paper on the order. This action follows Trump’s initial commitment during his first administration to release all files related to John F. Kennedy. However, despite this promise, a significant amount of material remains undisclosed more than six decades after Kennedy’s tragic assassination on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.
Despite initial intentions to release all files, Trump faced pushback from the CIA and FBI, leading to the blocking of hundreds of records. At the time, Trump cited concerns over potential harm to U.S. national security, law enforcement, or foreign affairs as reasons for withholding certain information. Nonetheless, Trump’s determination to also declassify documents related to Martin Luther King Jr. and former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy raises questions about the timeline and process for these releases.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Records Collection Act stipulates that the remaining files concerning King are not set for release until 2027. This legislation adds a layer of complexity to Trump’s plans to unveil information related to the civil rights leader, as it sets a specific timeline for the disclosure of these documents.
As the executive order to declassify files on Kennedy and King is set into motion, the public eagerly anticipates the revelations that may come to light. The transparency and historical significance of these documents hold immense value, shedding light on pivotal moments in American history and providing insight into the lives and legacies of these iconic figures.
