Civil rights activist and MSNBC host, Rev. Al Sharpton, criticized the Trump administration’s choice to release files about Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, labeling it a “desperate” move intended to distract from the controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.
“We need to recognize that Trump’s release of the MLK files isn’t really about transparency or justice,” Sharpton remarked on Monday. “It’s more of a futile attempt to steer attention away from the credibility issues tied to the Epstein situation.”
Sharpton expressed frustration at the administration for using King “as a pawn for cheap political stunts,” aligning himself with the families of civil rights leaders.
The Trump administration released over 230,000 pages of documents concerning King’s assassination, upholding a campaign promise despite objections from King’s family.
According to Tulsi Gabbard’s National Intelligence Director, the documents detail the FBI’s inquiry into King’s murder in 1968, including an internal memo and information about the hunt for James Earl Ray, who was convicted in connection with the assassination.
Some of these records had previously been made public through Freedom of Information Act requests, but this marks the first time they’ve been available online with minimal edits.
This release comes amid mounting pressure for Trump to be transparent about his administration’s handling of various lawsuits related to Epstein, a dead financier and convicted sex offender.
The ongoing Epstein saga presented a complex challenge for Trump, as it highlighted his discordance with some of his base.
Sharpton urged the public to consider the larger implications of such document releases.
“I encourage people not to get caught up in a bait-and-switch situation. For someone who has criticized the FBI’s weaponization, it seems to serve as his weapon of choice,” Sharpton stated.
“Trump is still trying to rally his divided base, but we are committed to upholding Dr. King’s legacy in the fight for voting rights, economic justice, fair housing, access to quality education, and equal protections under the law for everyone.”
