Long-Awaited JFK Assassination Files Released After Trump’s Directive

Decades of speculation and anticipation culminated on Tuesday with the release of approximately 80,000 pages of previously unseen documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The release followed an announcement just one day prior by former President Donald Trump, who asserted his commitment to transparency and public access to information.

"So, people have been waiting for decades for this, and I’ve instructed my people… lots of different people, [director of national intelligence] Tulsi Gabbard, that they must be released tomorrow," Trump stated during a visit to the Kennedy Center in Washington. He emphasized his desire for full disclosure, declaring, "You got a lot of reading. I don’t believe we’re going to redact anything. I said, ‘just don’t redact, you can’t redact."

As of Tuesday evening, over 1,123 unredacted documents, comprising roughly 80,000 pages, were made available on the National Archives website. The public can access these files through a designated link, offering a glimpse into the long-sealed records surrounding one of the most impactful events in American history.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard publicly acknowledged Trump’s decision via an X post on Tuesday, hailing it as a significant step toward greater transparency. "Today, per his direction, previously redacted JFK Assassination Files are being released to the public with no redactions," Gabbard wrote, adding, "Promises made, promises kept."

Gabbard further clarified that the initial release would be unredacted. However, she noted the existence of additional documents that remained withheld under court seal, grand jury secrecy rules, or provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. "Additional documents withheld under court seal or for grand jury secrecy, and records subject to section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, must be unsealed before release," she explained. NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) is reportedly collaborating with the Department of Justice to expedite the unsealing of these remaining records.

Gabbard expressed confidence that the information contained within these withheld documents would soon be made public, stating, "Grand juries from many years ago have already seen them, so most of this information is already out, but regardless of this, this information will be immediately released upon the direction of the Court."

Despite Trump’s initial declaration of no redactions, a source familiar with the matter informed Fox News that some redactions would, in fact, be applied to future document releases. These redactions are intended to protect sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, and safeguard "live assets in Cuba."

Fox News also reported that the sheer volume of documents would necessitate a staggered release over several days, with Tuesday marking the initial unveiling. The full extent of the information contained within the released and soon-to-be-released files remains to be seen, but the anticipation and scrutiny surrounding these documents are undeniable.

The release of the JFK assassination files comes shortly after the Justice Department revealed a batch of files related to Jeffrey Epstein in late February. The Epstein files, however, largely consisted of previously released information from the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, prompting public criticism and raising questions about the potential significance of the JFK documents.

This move builds upon an executive order signed by Trump in January, directing the declassification of files related to the assassinations of JFK, Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), and Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK). The order mandated the DNI and the attorney general to submit a proposed plan for the JFK files release by February 7, and similar plans for the RFK and MLK files by March 9.

The FBI, in response to Trump’s executive order, conducted a new records search, uncovering approximately 2,400 previously undisclosed records connected to the JFK assassination case file.

The promise of releasing the JFK files has been a recurring theme throughout several administrations. Trump, during his campaign, pledged to declassify the documents upon entering his second term. "When I return to the White House, I will declassify and unseal all JFK assassination-related documents. It’s been 60 years, time for the American people to know the truth," he stated at the time.

However, past attempts to release the documents during Trump’s first term were met with resistance. He ultimately blocked the release of hundreds of records following appeals from the CIA and FBI, highlighting the complexities and sensitivities involved in declassifying such historical materials.

Former President Joe Biden also released batches of JFK documents during his term. In 2021, he postponed the planned release of several documents, citing delays related to the coronavirus pandemic. The current release under Trump represents a renewed effort to fulfill the long-standing promise of transparency and public access to information surrounding the Kennedy assassination.