The Trump administration has released a second batch of documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, adding approximately 63,000 pages to the public domain. This follows the initial release earlier this week, fulfilling President Trump’s campaign promise to declassify all remaining records concerning the assassination.
The newly available documents are accessible through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) both online and at their College Park, Maryland facility. These files encompass communications between intelligence agencies, including interactions between the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), shedding light on international responses following the assassination.
Historians and experts anticipate that while the release provides a more comprehensive view of the events surrounding Kennedy’s assassination, it is unlikely to drastically alter the prevailing understanding of the incident. The assassination has been a focal point for numerous conspiracy theories, and the hope is that increased transparency will address lingering public skepticism.
Jack Schlossberg, President Kennedy’s only grandson, has publicly criticized the manner of the release. Expressing frustration over the lack of prior notification to the Kennedy family, Schlossberg accused the Trump administration of using the declassification for political gain and undermining his grandfather’s legacy. He also condemned media outlets for their coverage, particularly targeting CNN anchors for focusing on the files instead of current events.
The release of these documents is part of a broader effort to promote government transparency concerning historical events. In January, President Trump signed an executive order mandating the declassification of records related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
The public now has the opportunity to delve into these documents, which include photos, films, sound recordings, artifacts, and records. While some hope for new insights, others remain skeptical about uncovering groundbreaking information. Regardless, the release marks a significant step toward resolving one of America’s enduring historical debates.
Sources:
- Axios – Trump Releases JFK Assassination Files
- News.com.au – Trump Set to Reveal Secret JFK Papers
- People – JFK Files Released Over 60 Years After Kennedy Assassination
- New York Post – JFK Grandson Jack Schlossberg Rips CNN for Assassination Files Coverage
- The Times – Trump Declassifies JFK Files and MLK Assassination Records
- Houston Chronicle – JFK Files Release Marks a New Chapter in Transparency
