President Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating the release of all remaining government files related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The move promises to shed light on pivotal events that have fueled decades of speculation and conspiracy theories.
A Long-Awaited Disclosure
Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump acknowledged the widespread anticipation surrounding these documents. “A lot of people have been waiting for this for years, for decades,” he said.
The release comes after years of delays. Congress passed a 1992 law requiring full disclosure of records related to President Kennedy’s assassination by October 26, 2017, barring national security concerns. Trump himself postponed the release of certain files during his first term, as did President Joe Biden during his presidency.
Expanded Scope of Transparency
Trump’s executive order goes beyond the Kennedy assassination. He also directed the declassification of files related to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., stating that “the release of all records in the Federal Government’s possession pertaining to each of those assassinations is in the public interest.”
The move could address lingering questions surrounding these assassinations, which were defining moments of the 1960s. Theories about President Kennedy’s assassination, for example, often suggest involvement from groups like the Mafia or rogue government elements.
A Personal Connection
The executive order also comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the slain senator, is awaiting confirmation as Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The decision to release these files could carry significant personal and political weight.
Looking Ahead
This release is expected to reveal details that could reshape the public’s understanding of these historic events. “I have now determined that the continued redaction and withholding of information is not consistent with the public interest,” Trump stated in the order.
The declassification of these documents could finally answer questions that have captivated Americans for generations.
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