Trump signs order to declassify files on JFK, RFK and MLK assassinations

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to declassify files related to the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

The move fulfills a promise Trump made during his 2024 campaign, aiming to address decades of speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding the high-profile killings.

“Everything will be revealed,” Trump said while signing the order in the Oval Office, signaling his intent to make long-withheld records public.

During his first term, Trump committed to releasing all JFK-related documents, yet many remained classified due to concerns raised by agencies like the CIA and FBI. The president had cited risks to national security, law enforcement, and foreign relations as reasons for the delays.

This new order declares that withholding such information is no longer in the public interest. It states, "The release of these records is long overdue," extending the directive to include files on Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., despite no legislative requirement for their disclosure.

Representative Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., welcomed the decision, condemning past secrecy as a betrayal of public trust. "Americans deserve the truth, no matter how it reflects on the government," she said, pledging continued efforts toward transparency.

Questions remain about how swiftly the administration can expedite the release of these documents. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968, while campaigning for the presidency. His shooter, Sirhan Sirhan, was apprehended on the scene.

Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis on April 4, 1968, has a separate collection of records slated for release by 2027 under the Martin Luther King Jr. Records Collection Act.

The deaths of both JFK and King have been fertile ground for conspiracy theories, often pointing to possible government involvement or cover-ups. Trump’s action is seen as a significant step toward addressing these lingering doubts and fulfilling a long-standing demand for transparency.

This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.