On Monday, the Trump administration made public hundreds of thousands of documents regarding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., sticking to a promise made by President Trump, even as some of King’s family members expressed reluctance.
The release comprises over 230,000 pages now available digitally. According to Tulsi Gabbard’s National Intelligence Director, these documents cover the FBI’s investigation into King’s murder in 1968, an internal memo about the case, and information about the search for James Earl Ray, who was convicted for the crime.
While some of these records have been shared before through Freedom of Information Act requests, officials noted that this marks the first time they’ve been released online with minimal edits.
“Today’s release highlights the historic strides in the Trump administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also the interim president of the National Archives (NARA), stated.
Rubio further emphasized, “The mission of NARA centers on preserving, protecting, and publishing U.S. government records. Thanks to President Trump’s guidance and a coordinated interagency effort, we have expedited the review and release of these records like never before.”
Martin Luther King Jr.’s children, including Bernice King, issued a detailed statement on Monday. They encouraged the public to view the newly released records with a full understanding of their historical context, referencing feelings of “disaster, looting, and a deeply disturbing violation and surveillance campaign.”
“While we support transparency and historical accountability, we stand against any assaults on our father’s legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread misinformation,” the King siblings stated. “We firmly oppose any efforts to misuse these documents to undermine our father’s legacy and the significant achievements of the movement. Those endorsing the FBI’s narratives may inadvertently align themselves with ongoing efforts to diminish both our father and the civil rights movement.”
Shortly after his inauguration in January, Trump signed an executive order to release federal documents linked to King’s assassination, along with those concerning former President John F. Kennedy and former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
King was assassinated in Memphis in April 1968, and his death has been the subject of various conspiracy theories over the years.
“As we continue to grieve his passing, the declassification and release of these documents is a significant step toward providing the truth the American public deserves,” Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., stated through the Trump administration.
