close_game
close_game

Donald Trump to release files on JFK, Martin Luther King Jr assassinations: Why it's significant, what's next?

Jan 24, 2025 09:50 AM IST

Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign to make public the last batches of still-classified documents on President Kennedy's assassination.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order directing the declassification and release of thousands of government documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F Kennedy, as well as the deaths of his brother, Senator Robert F Kennedy, and civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington.(REUTERS)
US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington.(REUTERS)

The order is among a flurry of executive actions Trump took in the first week of his second term. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “Everything will be revealed.”

The documents have long been central to public intrigue and conspiracy theories.

‘Blatantly unconstitutional’: Why US judge blocked Donald Trump's birthright citizenship order | Top points

Notably, Trump's move comes after he had promised during his reelection campaign to make public the last batches of still-classified documents surrounding President Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, which has transfixed people for decades.

Significance of executive order releasing info on Keneddy, Martin Luther King Jr

Trump’s executive order, one of many in recent weeks, not only has great historical significance but also marks the onset of Trump's administration's promised governance of transparency and public access to sensitive governmental records.

The long-awaited release of these files has been a subject of public demand for decades after several conspiracy theories and speculations arose regarding the death of the former US leaders.

The documents shed light on the details provided by the intelligence services operated at the time and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination.

Also Read | Donald Trump's warning to Davos elite: ‘Invest in US or face tariffs’

However, this is not the first time Trump made a promise related to the release of documents on JFK’s assassination but ultimately deferred to requests from intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI, citing potential national security concerns.

How will documents be released?

According to AP, the order directs the director of national intelligence and the attorney general to develop a plan within 15 days to release the remaining John F. Kennedy records, and within 45 days for the other two cases.

It was not clear when the records would be released.

What's next for Donald Trump?

With the release of these files, President Trump's push to declassify such controversial records could exemplify his administration's commitment to future narratives about government transparency and the deep state.

Also Read | ‘Threatens families with lifetime of exclusion’: Why Trump's birthright citizenship order was sued

There are still some documents in the JFK collection that researchers don’t believe the president will be able to release.

This includes around 500 documents, including tax returns, that weren’t subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement.

Researchers note that documents have also been destroyed over the decades.

rec-icon Recommended Topics
Share this article
Read breaking news, latest updates from United States on topics related to politics, crime, along with national affairs. Stay up to date with news developments on Kamala Harris, Donald Trump,and Joe Biden along with Super Bowl 2025 Live Updates.
See More
Read breaking news, latest updates from United States on topics related to politics, crime, along with national affairs. Stay up to date with news developments on Kamala Harris, Donald Trump,and Joe Biden along with Super Bowl 2025 Live Updates.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On