The US National Archives has released a new batch of previously classified files regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, shedding light on the events surrounding his death and the ensuing conspiracy theories.
On March 18, 2025, the US National Archives disclosed the final collection of documents related to Kennedy's assassination, an event that has captivated and puzzled the nation since November 22, 1963. This declassification was executed under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, directing the unredacted release of remaining files relating to not only Kennedy but also his brother, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Despite Trump's announcement on March 17, 2025, that 80,000 documents would be declassified, only 1,123 documents were initially listed on the National Archives website. However, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, confirmed that the rest of the files had already been declassified, with plans to upload them online in the coming days.
This recent move follows a lengthy history of document releases dating back to 1992 when Congress mandated all known US government records related to the Kennedy assassination be collected in one place and released within 25 years. Many speculate that these current disclosures might not bring any groundbreaking revelations, although some scholars and conspiracy theorists remain hopeful.
As historians and researchers await the publication of the latest documents, experts remain divided on whether anything of significance is contained therein. Fredrik Logevall, a historian at Harvard, expressed skepticism, stating, “I doubt that these releases are going to overturn our understanding of what happened on that terrible day in Dallas.” Still, he suggested that readers should “prepare to be surprised.”
Venerable historian David J. Garrow shared a more cynical view of the release, calling it a “big nothingburger,” in terms of expected disclosures regarding the assassination itself. He noted, “But that doesn’t mean it won’t be interesting, particularly for scholars of the Byzantine workings of the intelligence agencies.”
Indeed, the CIA's and FBI's involvements have long been the subject of scrutiny and speculation. Since the assassination was attributed to Lee Harvey Oswald, who was fatally shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby two days later, a whirlwind of conspiracy theories has emerged over the decades, challenging the official narrative laid out by a Warren Commission investigation that found Oswald acted alone. Despite these inquiries, the permeability of information has not quelled public fascination and skepticism of government narratives.
Among key concerns is the historical context of the allegations surrounding Oswald's activities prior to the assassination. Recent analyses have examined his trip to Mexico City in September 1963, where he visited embassies of both Cuba and the Soviet Union. Scholars hope the new documents might provide further information about these meetings and lead to a clearer understanding of Oswald's motives.
Despite previous releases, many documents remain sealed, including a wealth of information that might reinforce existing theories or provide new evidence. The Church Committee, established by the Senate in 1975, had previously reviewed intelligence agency practices but did not fully uncover all related data to the public. Efforts to uncover more regarding the Kennedy assassination have been hampered by a continuous trend of redactions, resulting in significant gaps that persist in Americans' comprehension of their government's involvement.
The Kennedy assassination remains a cultural touchstone in the United States, fueling a collective yearning for comprehensive truths. For conspiracy theorists, any new release of files is an opportunity to seek connections they believe exist beyond the established narrative.
One of the more pressing modern questions emerging from these document releases is about the motivations behind the delays in publicizing the records. Beverly Gage, a historian from Yale, emphasized how secrecy and redactions often involve protecting agents' sources and methods—specifically focusing on names of informants or sensitive operation details that might reveal how agencies interact. “The FBI’s file on the CIA includes redacted page after redacted page,” she noted.
As scholars sift through these latest releases, they will be searching for clues not just about the particulars of the assassination, but also about the larger intelligence context surrounding the events of the '60s. Major academic works contend with questions of oversight and secrecy, shedding light on the American government's historical reluctance to disclose pertinent truths to the American populace.
Amid anticipation and speculation, the fallout from the document release illustrates a paradox pertinent to conspiracy theories—they flourish in silences and secrets. As the US continues its journey toward transparency regarding a crucial event in American history, many remain captivated by the allure of the unknown.
