On November 23, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald, accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy, was photographed being led down a Dallas police station corridor surrounded by detectives. In recent news, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, who has pledged to release all documents related to JFK’s assassination if elected.
Trump proposed establishing a new independent commission to oversee the disclosure of these documents, framing it as a tribute to RFK Jr.’s late uncle, President Kennedy.
Despite the Warren Commission’s conclusion that Oswald acted alone, conspiracy theories persist. Questions about possible connections between Oswald and foreign agents, such as the Soviet Union or Cuba, or involvement by the CIA, have fueled skepticism. RFK Jr. himself has expressed belief in CIA involvement.
For decades, many assassination-related documents have remained classified, with over 3,000 still redacted according to the National Archives and Records Administration, leaving researchers frustrated.
RFK Jr. Backs Trump’s Plan to Release JFK Assassination Files After Suspending Campaign
The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 mandated that all documents related to the assassination be released by October 2017. However, this deadline has been repeatedly postponed due to concerns over national security and privacy.
Initially, about 320,000 documents were targeted for declassification, but significant delays have occurred, including during Trump’s and Biden’s presidencies. The pandemic and security concerns were cited as reasons for further postponements.
Recent document releases have offered some insights but have not definitively resolved longstanding questions. Notable disclosures have included information on Oswald’s CIA connections and his actions before the assassination.
However, many researchers, including Gerald Posner, are skeptical that the remaining documents will reveal substantial new evidence. Some believe that regardless of what the remaining files might show, conspiracy theories will persist.
Experts like Jefferson Morley and Gerald Posner hope for full disclosure but remain divided on the potential outcomes. Morley suspects the documents could confirm CIA awareness of Oswald, while Posner believes they might show a failure to act on information.
Despite differing opinions on the implications, both agree that the continued withholding of these records undermines public trust and transparency regarding the JFK assassination.
