In a historic move, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon to declassify files related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. Trump’s decision fulfills a long-standing promise to bring transparency to some of the most controversial and tragic events of the 20th century.
“Everything will be revealed,” Trump declared while signing the order during his first week back in the White House. The action comes decades after these assassinations, which have fueled countless conspiracy theories about who was truly responsible for the killings.
A Call for Truth and Transparency
The executive order directs the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Attorney General to develop plans for the release of these files. The JFK assassination files are prioritized, with a 15-day timeline for planning their release. The RFK and MLK files will follow, with a 45-day planning window.
“Their families and the American people deserve transparency and truth,” the order states. “It is in the national interest to finally release all records related to these assassinations without delay.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son and nephew of the slain Kennedys and Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, was present at the signing. In a symbolic gesture, Trump handed him the pen used to sign the order.
The Legacy of the Assassinations
The deaths of Kennedy, Kennedy, and King remain deeply controversial. Official accounts have been met with skepticism by segments of the public, spawning theories that suggest the involvement of additional perpetrators or shadowy conspiracies.
John F. Kennedy: The 35th president was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. The Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, but doubts persist.
Robert F. Kennedy: The younger Kennedy was gunned down on June 5, 1968, in Los Angeles. Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of the murder, but speculation about a second gunman has endured.
Martin Luther King Jr.: The civil rights leader was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray confessed to the crime but later recanted, fueling conspiracy theories that he was framed.
Challenges Ahead
Trump’s order puts the task of overseeing the declassification in the hands of his nominees for key national security roles. Tulsi Gabbard, tapped for Director of National Intelligence, and Pam Bondi, nominated for Attorney General, will be responsible for carrying out the directive if confirmed.
Gabbard, a former Democrat, faces a tough confirmation process due to her controversial views, including support for whistleblower Edward Snowden and comments aligning with Russian perspectives on the Ukraine war.
During Trump’s first term, the CIA and FBI successfully persuaded him to keep the JFK files classified, citing national security concerns. Former CIA Director Mike Pompeo was instrumental in delaying their release, Trump revealed.
Public and Historical Interest
The 1992 JFK Records Act mandated the release of all JFK files by October 26, 2017, during Trump’s first term. However, full disclosure never materialized. This time, Trump appears committed to unveiling the remaining documents, along with files on RFK and King.
As the release plans unfold, Americans and historians alike are poised to examine the contents for clues that may either confirm or challenge the official narratives of these historic events.
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