The Trump administration has released thousands of files. These are about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The release happened on March 18, 2025. Also, The National Archives made these documents available to the public. Historians and researchers are excited to explore these files for new information. Continue reading to learn more about the JFK Assassination files being released.
Background of the JFK Assassination
John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. This was in Dallas, Texas. He was shot while riding in a motorcade. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the crime. Also, The Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone. However, many people do not believe this. Conspiracy theories have surrounded JFK’s assassination for decades.
JFK Assassination Files Released
The National Archives released about 63,000 pages of documents. These files contain information that was previously classified. Tulsi Gabbard leads The Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She stated that around 80,000 pages were released. Also, this includes files related to the killings of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.
President Trump signed an executive order in January 2025. This order called for the release of all remaining files. These files are related to JFK’s assassination. Historians are expecting to spend months examining the documents for new clues.
Also read: Hudson River Bridge Upgrades: Major Renovations in 2026
Public Interest and Polls
Many Americans remain skeptical about the official story of JFK’s assassination. A 2023 Gallup poll showed that 65 percent of Americans do not believe the Warren Commission’s findings. Some think Oswald acted with help from the U.S. government or CIA. Thus, this distrust fuels ongoing interest in the released files.
Contents of the Released Files
Scholars reviewing the files did not find major changes to the established narrative about Oswald. However, some new information has emerged. The key points for the released documents are mentioned below.
1. CIA Involvement
One significant revelation suggests possible CIA involvement. A declassified memo from November 1963 shows that a CIA officer was worried about Oswald’s activities. Also, Oswald visited the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City. This was weeks before the assassination. The officer raised concerns. However, the higher-ups ignored them. This raises questions about whether the CIA was involved. It could also question whether they simply acted incompetently.
2. The Second Shooter Theory
The files also provide evidence supporting the theory of a second shooter. The Warren Commission claimed that Oswald fired three shots in 8.6 seconds. However, new ballistic reports and witness testimonies suggest this may not be accurate. Some witnesses claim a shot came from a grassy knoll. This was an elevated area near the motorcade. Also, this contradicts the idea of Oswald acting alone. The House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded there was a high probability of a second shooter in 1979. The new files support this conclusion with additional witness accounts.
3. Mafia Connections
The released documents include transcripts of wiretaps. These suggest that organized crime may have been involved in the assassination. Mob bosses discussed the need to “take care of Kennedy”. Also, some documents link Chicago mobsters to training Cuban militiamen. This connection raises the possibility of a conspiracy involving mobsters, anti-Castro Cubans, and rogue CIA agents. The motive could relate to Kennedy’s actions during the Bay of Pigs invasion. This angered mafia leaders who lost their operations in Cuba.
4. Additional Revelations
One CIA memo revealed that officer George Joannides funneled $25,000. This was to an anti-Castro group linked to Oswald. Thus, it raises questions about the CIA’s relationship with Oswald. Another file shows that the CIA intensified surveillance of Oswald’s Cuban contacts. However, it did not take any action. Also, an FBI record indicated that someone predicted Oswald’s murder by Jack Ruby before it happened. This shows that some individuals may have known more than they revealed.
