President Trump Orders Release Of Classified JFK, RFK, MLK Assassination Records
President Donald Trump has followed through on a key campaign promise by signing an executive order to declassify the remaining government files related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The announcement came Thursday at the White House, where Trump emphasized the public’s right to access long-withheld information.
In a brief statement before signing the order, Trump called the move “a big one” and acknowledged the decades-long wait by the American people to see the records. Following the signing, he handed the pen used for the order to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and the son of the late senator.
The National Archives has already released the majority of the records tied to JFK’s assassination, with reports stating that 97% of nearly 5 million pages have been made public. However, a significant portion remained classified, fueling years of speculation and distrust regarding the government’s role in the high-profile killings.
During his first term, Trump had pledged to release all JFK-related documents but ultimately held back hundreds of records at the request of intelligence agencies. At the time, Trump cited concerns that their release could jeopardize national security and foreign relations.
This latest order expands beyond the Kennedy files, now including all records related to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. The King family welcomed the decision but expressed their desire to review the materials privately before they are released to the public.
Critics of the intelligence community have long argued that the government has withheld critical details about these assassinations, prompting calls for greater transparency. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) praised the decision, stating that Americans deserve the truth, regardless of how it reflects on government agencies.
