Release of Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Files Announced
Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, has shared that a substantial file regarding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. has been made public.
This collection comprises over 230,000 pages detailing aspects of Dr. King’s assassination, according to a statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The release was a collaboration with various agencies, including the Department of Justice, the FBI, the CIA, and the National Archives.
Interestingly, unlike files related to JFK, the documents pertaining to MLK were not previously digitized. Gabbard remarked that Americans have waited almost sixty years to uncover the full extent of the federal investigation into King’s assassination.
Today, after nearly 60 years of questions surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are releasing 230,000 MLK assassination files. https://t.co/71p3p5jbgk. The document contains details about the investigation into the FBI’s assassination… pic.twitter.com/l96t9tgymn
– dni tulsi gabbard (@dnigabbard) July 21, 2025
Gabbard indicated that under President Trump’s authority, the commitment to transparency regarding such a significant event in American history was prioritized. The documents include an FBI memo that tracks the investigation’s progress, alongside records associated with James Earl Ray’s former cellmate, who allegedly discussed a plan to assassinate Dr. King.
Additionally, the files contain Canadian police records relevant to Ray’s escape following the assassination and intelligence gathered by the CIA for his apprehension.
John Ratcliffe, the CIA director, stated that this release marks a significant step in the agency’s efforts to maintain transparency with the American public. He expressed pride in their contributions to declassifying and releasing information of importance.
While some of these documents have previously been disclosed due to FOIA requests, this marks the first instance of a comprehensive release made available online. The ODNI is continually updating the collection as more files come to light.
Despite concerns regarding the lengthy wait for these documents, Gabbard’s office and others have expressed hope that this step signifies progress toward greater accountability.
Dr. Alveda King, a close relative of Martin Luther King Jr., received early access to review these documents two weeks prior to the official release. She shared her appreciation for the efforts made by Trump and Gabbard in fulfilling promises related to her uncle’s assassination documents.
Dr. King reflected on her uncle’s enduring pursuit of truth and justice, recognizing the release of the files as a vital stride toward the revelations that the American people have long sought.
