Unveiling Hushed Past: National Archives Releases Classified Files on JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations
- Classified JFK assassination documents made public by the U.S. National Archives.
After a decades-long wait, the US National Archives has finally unleashed a trove of hidden documents, spinning open the curtain on the enigmatic assassinations of three significant figures: President John F. Kennedy (JFK), Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), and Revered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). This groundbreaking move was triggered by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in 2025, directing the declassification of all remaining records pertaining to these historical events [1][2][4].
The Trove Unmasked
- Scope: The release encompasses a whopping 80,000+ pages from the JFK assassination archives, adding to an already voluminous collection of over six million pages, photographs, and other materials [1][4].
- Accessibility: The documents were made public with no redactions, although some records remain under wraps due to court orders, grand jury secrecy, or tax return information [1][3]. The withheld documents are expected to be decrypted and added to the online archive in due time.
Key Documents
- Memo Scruple: One of the top findings is a June 1961 memo from Arthur Schlesinger Jr. to President Kennedy that criticizes the CIA's operations and influence. The memo offers an intriguing look at CIA personnel numbers in various countries and their interactions with foreign political figures [1].
The Ripple Effects
- Importance of Transparency: The release is applauded as a significant step toward fostering transparency, addressing a long-standing public curiosity about these historic events [2][4].
- Boost for Research: Researchers and academics welcome the release as it offers new perspectives on events surrounding the assassinations, unveiling deeper insights into CIA activities and the surveillance of Lee Harvey Oswald [2][3].
- The Journey Continues: Despite this release, some documents remain classified or inaccessible online, with ongoing efforts to digitize and share these documents with the public [3][4].
The King Case - 14 Files Unsealed
- Laying it Out: Alongside the JFK documents, 14 files related to King's assassination were also released, tallying approximately 1,050 pages [1].
Kennedy Chronicles - Future Reveals
- Unfolding the RFK Assassination's Story: While the executive order includes documents related to RFK's assassination, the specifics of the release are still up in the air [4]. Stay tuned for more updates on the story that shook the nation five years after JFK's untimely demise.
Sources:
[1] Hall, S. (2025, September 3). National Archives releases voluminous batch of documents related to John F. Kennedy, Jr. assassination. The Washington Post.[2] Orey, L. (2025, September 3). Long-Awaited Kennedy Assassination Records Now Public. MSNBC.[3] Clasper, M. (2025, September 3). Thousands of JFK assassination documents go public. CNN.[4] Johnson, T. R. (2025, September 3). Trump orders Release of Secret JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations Documents. The New York Times.
- The National Archives, upon President Donald Trump's instruction, announced the release of a conclusive collection of approximately 80,000 pages from John F. Kennedy's assassination archives, including a memo from Arthur Schlesinger Jr. to President Kennedy critiquing the CIA's operations.
- Remaining documents, such as records related to Donald Trump's executive order on the declassification of all related files, are expected to be found in the archives' archives at a future date.
- Researchers and academics have hailed the unveiling of documents pertaining to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK, particularly the 14 files on King's assassination, as a significant step toward achieving conclusive evidence and fostering transparency on these historical events.
