On March 18, 2025, the U.S. National Archives released 1,123 newly declassified records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The release follows a directive from President Donald Trump under Executive Order 14176, aimed at achieving full transparency regarding the JFK Assassination Records Collection. These files, previously withheld for national security reasons, are now available online and in physical formats at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland.
The newly disclosed documents include FBI and CIA reports, intelligence memos, and witness statements, shedding fresh light on key aspects of the case. Some records provide further details on Lee Harvey Oswald’s activities before and after the assassination, including his interactions with Soviet and Cuban officials just weeks prior to Kennedy’s death. Other documents discuss CIA surveillance efforts and intelligence reports that have fueled speculation about potential involvement of foreign governments, organized crime, and even a second shooter.
The release reignites longstanding debates surrounding Kennedy’s assassination, with many researchers and historians examining whether these files alter the official narrative that Oswald acted alone. The information also revisits theories related to the possibility of a second gunman positioned on the grassy knoll, as suggested by previous investigations.
While the documents may not provide a definitive answer to the case, they contribute to renewed public scrutiny of one of America’s most controversial historical events. As analysts continue to comb through the files, the revelations could reshape public perception of the assassination and its impact on U.S. history. The records are accessible to the public via the National Archives website and will continue to be digitized for broader availability.
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