President Donald Trump has ignited renewed interest and scrutiny over the assassinations of three pivotal figures of the 1960s—John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.—by signing an executive order to declassify associated files. During his tenure starting January 20, Trump signed this order on January 23, which mandates the release of previously classified documents concerning these historic events. "A lot of people have been waiting for this for years, decades. And everything will be revealed," Trump remarked as he endorsed the switch to greater transparency.
The order is poised to open up files on the assassination of JFK, shot dead on November 22, 1963; his brother, Robert, who was killed during his presidential campaign on June 5, 1968; and the civil rights leader King, murdered on April 4, 1968. The timeline specified gives intelligence officials two weeks to devise a plan for releasing the JFK assassination files and 45 days for those related to RFK and King.
Experts have voiced skepticism over the implication of these files yielding significant revelations. Prominent among them is Burt Griffin, assistant counsel on the Warren Commission, who argues much information is already known and what remains classified primarily concerns the investigative process, including names of agents who had engaged with illegal activities, such as surveillance of mafia figures. Griffin suggests the basic conclusions of these assassinations will not be overturned by the availability of these documents: Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK, Sirhan Sirhan was responsible for RFK’s death, and James Earl Ray murdered King.
While the anticipation builds, some scholars point to the files as potentially anticlimactic. Gerald Posner, author of Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK, expressed hope they would reveal details of First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s accounts of the tragic day, alongside the evidence surrounding how the FBI monitored King's activities.
Posner expressed concerns about the nature of possible disclosures about King, hinting they might reveal sensitive information around the civil rights leader's personal life, such as rumors of infidelity. The King family is already on record requesting access to any pertinent documents before the broader public does.
The historical backdrop to these inquiries lies heavily in the cultural and political maelstrom following these shocking assassinations, with varying theories on conspiracies behind the murders. Trump’s declaration echoes calls from the public for accountability and transparency, especially amid long-standing doubts about Oswald's lone-wolf status, which many Americans question.
Despite promising swift action and full transparency, Trump’s executive order allows for undefined delays, similar to actions he took during his first term, wherein he initially showed eagerness before retreating to pressures from intelligence agencies citing national security risks. Critics have already begun to question whether Americans will find themselves disappointed again.
Historical legislative frameworks such as the 1992 JFK Assassination Records Collection Act laid the groundwork for what Americans have expected concerning these files. That act mandates the declassification of millions of documents, yet gaps remain as roughly 3,600 files still contain redactions. It has been suggested by many, including some family members seeking transparency, the worry lies not only with what documents may reveal but also with the inability to access certain key records which may never see the light of day.
The typical narrative surrounding Kennedy's assassination has become intertwined with the visual media's depiction of events, particularly following Oliver Stone's controversial film JFK. That film propelled disbelief about Oswald's culpability, leading to intensified public pressure for transparency.
Expectations remain mixed as to what the released files will finally offer. Various historians speculate they may include tax returns and personal records of associates, which could undermine rumors of political connivance and reveal the extent of government surveillance and engagement. Griffin voiced hope eyes would also fall on documents pertaining to Cuba’s role amid the Cold War, as well as beyond Kennedy’s political assassination.
All eyes remain trained on what will come from the remaining classified documents. The anticipated release becomes more than just about closure for historical narratives; it directly engages with narratives shaped by conspiracy theories. Whether these theories are validated, dismissed, or whether more will brew remains to be determined.
While hope during this transparency initiative stands tall, the challenges facing the release and interpretation of these findings must be anticipated. The legacy of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. may not simply rest on facts but may rely as much on how history treats the revelations of these documents we have waited years to see opened.