The FBI has announced the discovery of thousands of new records related to the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, reigniting public interest and debate. This development comes as part of an ongoing effort to comply with an executive order by former President Donald Trump, who mandated the declassification and release of all remaining files related to the assassination in 2023. The National Archives has previously reviewed approximately 320,000 documents under the JFK Records Act, a 1992 law that mandates the disclosure of assassination-related files. More than 99% of these documents have been released, yet fewer than 4,700 records remain withheld in part or in full.
On Tuesday, the FBI revealed that about 2,400 records were uncovered during searches initiated to meet Trump's directive. These findings are significant as they contribute to the pool of documents yet to be disclosed publicly. The FBI stated its commitment to transferring the newly discovered documents to the National Archives and Records Administration for inclusion in the ongoing declassification process.
“The FBI has made the appropriate notifications of the newly discovered documents and is working to transfer them to the National Archives and Records Administration for inclusion in the ongoing declassification process,” – The FBI
The circumstances surrounding JFK's assassination on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, have long fueled conspiracy theories. A 2023 Gallup poll revealed that 65% of Americans did not believe the Warren Commission's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing the president. Robert F Kennedy Jr., nominated by Trump for health secretary, further fueled speculation by claiming overwhelming evidence of CIA involvement in his uncle's killing.
While Trump had initially promised to release all remaining records on the assassination during his first administration, he ultimately only sanctioned the release of about 2,800 documents. Both the CIA and FBI had pressured him to withhold thousands of files pending review. However, Trump's recent executive order aimed to address these delays.
“This is a big one. A lot of people have been waiting for this for years, for decades,” – Donald Trump
The ongoing release of documents continues to captivate public attention, with surveys showing widespread doubt about official explanations of JFK's killing. As more information becomes available, it remains to be seen whether these new documents will shed light on long-standing questions or merely add to the existing mystery.
