On the eve of his second inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to release classified files related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy (JFK), Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speaking to supporters at a rally in downtown Washington, Trump reiterated his campaign pledge to make public records that have long been shrouded in secrecy, stating, “In the coming days, we are going to make public the remaining records related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other topics of great public interest.”
Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, marking his return to the White House after his initial tenure from 2017 to 2021.
Trump’s announcement revives a promise made during his first term, when he partially released documents related to JFK’s 1963 assassination. Despite his earlier commitment to full transparency, he ultimately withheld a significant portion of the records, citing pressure from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as national security concerns.
This time, Trump has not specified which documents will be declassified or whether his promise includes a comprehensive release.
The assassination of President Kennedy has fueled conspiracy theories for decades, despite official reports concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Public skepticism persists, with polls indicating that many Americans believe JFK’s death was the result of a broader conspiracy.
Similarly, doubts surround the 1968 assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., with alternative theories challenging the findings of government investigations.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent critic of the official narratives and Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, has alleged CIA involvement in his uncle JFK’s assassination. He has also disputed the single-shooter conclusion in his father’s death, claims that U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly denied.
Trump’s aides have revealed plans for more than 200 executive actions as he begins his second term, including 50 executive orders on issues such as border security and domestic energy production. His promise to declassify assassination records could become one of the most significant and controversial early moves of his presidency.
If Trump follows through on this commitment, the disclosure could shed new light on some of the most debated events in modern American history. However, questions remain over whether national security concerns might once again prevent a full release.
Trump’s inauguration will take place at the Capitol on Monday, amid heightened public anticipation of the policy decisions and actions that will define his second term.
