President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and Texas Governor John Connally smile and wave at the crowd during their motorcade in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Getty Images
The US government has made thousands of previously secret files about the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy public. The release has sparked excitement among historians and curious citizens, who hope to find new clues about one of the most talked-about events in American history.
On Tuesday, the National Archives announced that all remaining classified records linked to the assassination were now available. People can view them online or in person. The archives uploaded around 63,000 pages of documents on its website, with more to be added as they are digitized.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, headed by Tulsi Gabbard, confirmed that the release included approximately 80,000 pages of once-classified information. The files also contain records related to the killings of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.
The release comes after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January demanding the full disclosure of all JFK-related files. Trump had first promised to release the files during his presidency. However, he delayed the move after agencies like the CIA and FBI requested more time to review sensitive material.
The JFK assassination has fueled conspiracy theories for decades. In 1964, the Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy during his visit to Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. However, many Americans doubt the official version.
A Gallup poll from 2023 revealed that 65% of Americans do not believe the commission’s findings. Around 20% of those surveyed think Oswald was part of a government conspiracy, while 16% suspect he worked with the CIA.
Historians and researchers are now combing through the new files, hoping to find fresh details. However, initial reviews have not revealed any significant changes to the official story.
The release is part of a long-running effort to make all JFK-related files public. In 2022, President Joe Biden’s administration released thousands of additional documents. According to the National Archives, before this latest release, more than 99% of the approximately 320,000 files linked to the case had already been made public.
The JFK Records Act of 1992 required the government to release all assassination-related documents by October 26, 2017. However, the president could block their release if it would harm national security or government operations.
The recent release is unlikely to end the widespread speculation surrounding Kennedy’s death. Many believe that hidden secrets still exist, but historians say the files may help provide more insight into the era.
