In a historic move, President Trump has authorized the release of 80,000 previously classified files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The documents, now made public, mark one of the most extensive declassifications of records tied to the 1963 tragedy that has fueled decades of speculation and conspiracy theories.
The release follows Trump’s earlier promise to ensure transparency surrounding the high-profile case. According to administration officials, the files were reviewed by national security experts before being cleared for public access, with only minimal redactions to protect ongoing intelligence methods or sources.
Among the documents are investigative reports, witness statements, surveillance records, and internal memos from the CIA, FBI, and other agencies involved in the probe into Kennedy’s death. Early reviewers noted new insights into Lee Harvey Oswald’s movements, his interactions with foreign nationals, and details of U.S. government monitoring of potential threats prior to the Dallas motorcade.
Officials emphasized that while the files do not overturn the official conclusion of Oswald as the lone gunman, they provide a clearer view of the intelligence community’s actions in the years leading up to and following the assassination. The release has been met with praise from historians and researchers who have long pushed for full access to the files.
Trump hailed the declassification as a win for government transparency, stating that the American public has the right to examine the records of one of the nation’s most scrutinized events. The National Archives has begun processing the files for online release, allowing the public to review the materials directly.