The CIA has made public 54 new documents in its ongoing effort to declassify information related to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
This latest release follows an earlier announcement in April, which stemmed from an executive order signed by President Trump in January aimed at making the remaining classified documents about Kennedy’s assassination accessible.
According to the CIA, these newly released documents encompass about 1,450 pages.
“Today’s release reflects President Trump’s commitment to transparency and enables the CIA to provide information that serves the public interest,” said CIA Director John Ratcliffe. “We are pleased to share our work on this crucial topic with the American people.”
Overall, since Thursday’s announcement, a total of 237 documents have been uploaded to the National Archives, amounting to more than 9,600 pages. It’s worth noting that certain documents, including those from the State Department and the presidential libraries of Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford, were already available.
Out of the 148 documents included in the release, many had been previously disclosed as part of the JFK assassination records, although most were not accessible online.
The specifics of the new information contained in these 54 documents aren’t entirely clear yet. However, experts suggest that this release is not likely to alter the prevailing understanding of the circumstances surrounding Kennedy’s death.
Sirhan Sirhan was found guilty of assassinating Kennedy in California in 1968 and has mentioned various motives, including his opposition to Kennedy’s support for Israel. He has also stated that he doesn’t clearly remember the event, which has fueled conspiracy theories regarding whether he acted alone or was framed.
Initial hopes around the JFK assassination documents were high, but previous releases have mostly provided additional context rather than revealing groundbreaking information.
The CIA notes that these recent records shed light on Kennedy’s travels to the Soviet Union with other agencies.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the late senator’s son and the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, has expressed his belief that Sirhan is innocent and should be granted freedom.
“Unveiling these RFK documents is vital for restoring trust in the US government,” Kennedy Jr. stated, commending President Trump’s dedication to transparency.
In 2021, the Parole Board recommended Sirhan be released, but California Governor Gavin Newsom denied this request, asserting that Sirhan was ultimately responsible for the murder.
RFK also held the position of Attorney General during the Johnson administration before assuming his Senate role.
