The National Archives’ release of approximately 10,185 pages of previously classified records related to the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) on April 18, 2025, is shedding new light on one of America’s most enduring tragedies. Ordered by President Donald J. Trump through Executive Order 14176, signed on January 23, 2025, the disclosure is part of a broader effort to declassify records concerning the assassinations of RFK, his brother President John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The documents, including FBI memos, handwritten notes by convicted assassin Sirhan Sirhan, and witness interviews, offer fresh details but stop short of resolving decades-old questions about the killing. As scholars, journalists, and the public pore over the files, the release is reigniting debates about transparency, conspiracy theories, and the official narrative surrounding RFK’s death.
RFK, a Democratic senator from New York and presidential candidate, was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, moments after delivering a speech celebrating his victory in California’s primary election. Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian immigrant, was arrested at the scene, convicted of first-degree murder in 1969, and sentenced to life in prison. The official account, supported by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and FBI investigations, holds that Sirhan acted alone, motivated by RFK’s support for Israel. However, the case has long been mired in controversy, with persistent theories of a second gunman, CIA involvement, or a broader conspiracy.
The newly released documents, digitized and posted to the National Archives’ website, include chilling handwritten notes by Sirhan, such as one on an envelope stating, “RFK must be disposed of like his brother was,” referencing JFK’s 1963 assassination. Another note reveals Sirhan’s obsession, declaring, “My determination to eliminate RFK is becoming more [and] more of an unshakeable obsession.” These writings, alongside FBI interviews, confirm Sirhan’s premeditation. For instance, a garbage collector, a Black man who planned to vote for RFK, told investigators that Sirhan expressed intent to “shoot the son of a bitch” shortly after Dr. King’s assassination in April 1968. The files also contain crime scene photos, autopsy reports, and correspondence from the public reacting to RFK’s death, offering a granular view of the investigation.
Among the most intriguing revelations is a report of tourists in Israel hearing rumors in May 1968 that RFK had been shot, weeks before the actual event. Some claimed to have heard of an attempt on RFK’s life in Milwaukee or Nebraska, raising questions about whether Sirhan’s plans were known or discussed in certain circles. Additionally, FBI files uncovered a near-miss involving another threat to the Kennedy family. A man who threatened to kill the entire family nearly boarded RFK’s funeral plane, highlighting the intense security concerns surrounding the Kennedys at the time.
The release, overseen by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, follows the discovery of an additional 50,000 pages of RFK-related files in CIA and FBI warehouses, which are still being processed for future disclosure. Gabbard has described the effort as a step to “shine a long-overdue light on the truth,” a sentiment echoed by RFK’s son, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long questioned Sirhan’s sole culpability. Kennedy Jr., who was 14 at the time of his father’s death, has praised Trump and Gabbard for their “courage” in lifting “the veil on the RFK papers,” calling it a “necessary step toward restoring trust in American government.” His support for the release aligns with his past advocacy for Sirhan’s parole, notably in 2021, when a California parole board deemed Sirhan suitable for release, only for Governor Gavin Newsom to reject the decision in 2022.
Despite the wealth of new information, experts like University of Virginia politics professor Larry Sabato, interviewed by Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber, caution that the documents may not contain bombshell revelations. Much of the material, including LAPD investigation files transferred to the California State Archives in 1987, has been public for decades, albeit not digitized. The FBI’s role in the RFK investigation was secondary to the LAPD’s, and many federal records were previously released with redactions. Sabato notes that while the files provide “puzzle pieces” to enrich the historical record, they are unlikely to alter the core conclusion that Sirhan fired the fatal shots. However, he acknowledges that details about CIA operations or Sirhan’s associations could fuel speculation, especially given Kennedy Jr.’s claims of a security guard’s involvement.
The documents also highlight the chaotic context of 1968, a year marked by political violence and social unrest. RFK’s assassination came two months after Dr. King’s, and the files reflect public outrage and fear, with letters to the government demanding justice. Some records detail Sirhan’s background, including his family’s displacement during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which may have shaped his anti-Israel motives. Others reveal investigative missteps, such as poorly scanned or illegible pages, which complicate analysis. The mix of black-and-white and color scans, used to expedite the interagency review process, has drawn criticism for readability issues.
Conspiracy theories, long a hallmark of the RFK case, are gaining renewed traction online. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiments, with some users hailing the release as a victory for transparency and others speculating about hidden truths. The autopsy report, which suggests RFK was shot at close range from behind, continues to clash with eyewitness accounts placing Sirhan in front of him, fueling second-gunman theories. Acoustic evidence from a 2008 analysis, indicating more shots fired than Sirhan’s eight-bullet revolver could hold, remains a point of contention, though not addressed in the current release.
The historical backdrop of RFK’s assassination underscores its lasting impact. As attorney general under JFK and a senator, RFK championed civil rights and opposed the Vietnam War, making him a polarizing figure. His 1968 presidential campaign galvanized young voters and minorities but drew ire from those who viewed his policies as too liberal or pro-Israel. Sirhan’s trial, marked by his erratic behavior and conflicting statements—admitting guilt at times and claiming memory lapses at others—left lingering doubts. Over the years, Sirhan’s parole bids, including a 2023 denial citing his lack of insight, have kept the case in the public eye.
As the National Archives continues digitizing records, with more releases expected, the RFK files are unlikely to quell all speculation. Legal scholar Philip Shenon, who has studied the Kennedy assassinations, told media outlets that while the documents offer no “big blockbusters,” they provide insight into Cold War-era intelligence practices. The absence of CIA records in this tranche, noted by author Tim Tate, leaves open the possibility of future disclosures about the agency’s alleged animus toward RFK. For now, the files serve as a reminder of a turbulent era and a family’s enduring tragedy, with Kennedy Jr.’s push for transparency reflecting a personal quest for answers.
Sources:
- https://youtu.be/sjtnpWGAdXA
- https://www.archives.gov/research/rfk
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