In a significant development, the FBI has uncovered thousands of previously hidden records related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy. This revelation follows President Donald Trump’s executive order mandating the release of files connected to Kennedy’s assassination, as well as those related to the deaths of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A total of 2,400 records tied to the tragic events of November 22, 1963, were released by the FBI, some of which had been excluded from previous disclosures to the board responsible for reviewing the files. According to a Fox News report, these newly discovered records were identified as part of a broader search initiated by the FBI under the direction of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which is overseeing the ongoing declassification process.
As part of an effort to improve its archival processes, the FBI began a multi-year initiative in 2020 to organize and digitally catalog previously closed case files from across its national network of field offices. This initiative, combined with advancements in digital record-keeping, facilitated the discovery of these newly available records, which had previously gone unnoticed in the agency’s archives.
“The FBI conducted a new records search pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order issued on January 23, 2025, regarding the declassification of the assassination files of JFK, RFK, and MLK,” the agency explained. “This search resulted in approximately 2,400 newly inventoried and digitized records that were previously unrecognized as related to the JFK assassination case file.”
The FBI emphasized that it is currently working to transfer these newly discovered files to the National Archives and Records Administration for inclusion in the ongoing declassification process.
A Longtime Researcher’s Perspective
Dory Wiley, a dedicated researcher who has spent decades studying the JFK assassination, expressed eagerness to examine the newly released files, provided they have not been altered, redacted, or destroyed. He emphasized the importance of continuing to uncover new pieces of the puzzle: “While we don’t expect a smoking gun, we get pieces of a smoking gun every time there’s a file released.”
Trump’s Executive Order and the Path Forward
President Trump signed the executive order on January 23, 2025, with the goal of ensuring that all remaining classified documents concerning the JFK assassination, as well as the killings of RFK and MLK, are made public. During the signing, Trump declared, “Everything will be revealed,” signaling his commitment to transparency.
The order stipulates that the Director of National Intelligence must present a plan for the full and complete release of these records within 15 days. A separate timeline is set for the records concerning RFK and MLK, which must be reviewed and addressed within 45 days. While this order sets a clear deadline for the creation of a release plan, it does not specify when the documents will be fully accessible to the public or what level of redaction, if any, will be applied.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
Though President Trump’s order is a significant step toward transparency, the exact timeline for the release of these files remains unclear. Additionally, the contents of these documents and the potential extent of redactions remain uncertain, leaving many to speculate about what new revelations might emerge.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of the late senator and a vocal advocate for government transparency, praised the move, calling it “a great move” that would bring more transparency to the American public. Kennedy, who has long sought answers regarding his father and uncle’s deaths, expressed hope that the release would shed light on the unanswered questions surrounding these historic tragedies.
A Historical Effort for Transparency
This effort to release classified documents builds on a long history of attempts to make the truth about the Kennedy assassination more accessible. In 1992, the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act was passed, mandating the disclosure of all related documents within 25 years, with only limited exceptions. However, some documents have been withheld, and the full disclosure has been delayed over time, with Trump’s previous efforts to release files during his first term and further document releases under Presidents Trump and Biden in the years following.
To date, more than 5 million pages of documents have been released, including memos from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and reports detailing various conspiracy theories and government investigations into the assassination. These records have contributed to the ongoing debate surrounding the assassination, with many questioning the official conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
The Continued Search for Answers
The release of these newly uncovered records is expected to fuel further public interest and speculation about the events surrounding Kennedy’s assassination. Visitors continue to flock to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, where the tragic shooting took place, hoping to uncover more details about the fateful day. Local resident Jim Grubba, who witnessed the events in his youth, remains committed to uncovering the truth. “We all want to know every detail. And when you don’t, you fill in the blanks,” Grubba said.
As the search for answers continues, many, like Grubba, remain dedicated to seeking out the facts, no matter where they may lead.