Declassification of Records Concerning Assassinations of JFK, RFK, & MLK
Jan 31, 2025
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Jan 23, 2025
Published on: Jan 31, 2025
Jan 31, 2025
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Jan 23, 2025
Published on: Jan 31, 2025
Summary
Directs government agencies to create a plan to release all records about the killings of JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King, Jr. to the public.
What problem does this solve?
For over 50 years, the government has kept many records about the assassinations of three major American leaders secret. This order requires the government to make a plan to release all of these records to the public for transparency and truth.
What does this order do?
Plan for JFK records release
Requires the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to create a plan within 15 days for the full release of records on President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
Plan for RFK and MLK Jr. records release
Requires the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to review and create a plan within 45 days for the full release of records on the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Declares public interest in disclosure
States that keeping assassination records secret is no longer in the public interest and that their release is long overdue.
Who does this affect?
- The American public
- Historians and researchers
- Families of the victims
What is the real world impact?
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Increases government transparency
Releases long-held secret documents to show the public what the government knows about these major historical events, building trust and providing answers to families and citizens.
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Addresses public demand for information
Responds to decades of public interest and conspiracy theories surrounding the assassinations by making the original source documents available for everyone to see.
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Could reveal sensitive information
Critics might worry that releasing all records could expose old intelligence sources or methods, or reveal information that could harm national security, which is why they were kept secret in the past.
When does this start?
This order sets specific deadlines for government agencies to create plans for releasing records.
JFK records release plan
Within 15 days of January 23, 2025, a plan for the full release of JFK assassination records must be presented to the President.
RFK and MLK Jr. records release plan
Within 45 days of January 23, 2025, a plan for the full release of RFK and MLK Jr. assassination records must be presented to the President.