Declassified RFK files reveal Sirhan Sirhan’s deep-set obsession and motive for killing Robert Kennedy

Newly declassified federal documents have shed disturbing light on the mindset of Sirhan Sirhan, the man who assassinated U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. Among the revelations is a chilling note expressing the killer’s “unshakeable obsession” with replicating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, stating explicitly that “RFK must be killed like his brother JFK.”

The trove of documents, totaling more than 10,000 pages, was released by the Trump administration as part of its push for greater transparency around historic political crimes. The disclosure, made through the National Archives, offers a more granular understanding of Sirhan’s motivations and the national security implications that followed Kennedy’s death. These newly available records may also reignite debate about longstanding conspiracy theories and alleged inconsistencies in the official investigation.

What do the RFK assassination files reveal about Sirhan Sirhan’s motive?

Sirhan Sirhan’s writings, unearthed from evidence collected by investigators, provide direct insight into his motivations. The assassin, a Palestinian national, expressed vehement opposition to Robert F. Kennedy’s vocal support for Israel during the Six-Day War. His notes indicated that Kennedy’s foreign policy stance had “betrayed the Palestinian people,” and Sirhan allegedly viewed his act as political retaliation.

One handwritten note, found on an envelope linked to a U.S. government official, referenced his mission to “eliminate RFK the same way his brother was eliminated.” Investigators interpreted this as a fixation with historical repetition—one driven by ideology, resentment, and a desire to make a global political statement.

Further documents show that Sirhan also referenced the overthrow of President Lyndon Johnson, suggesting broader anti-establishment and communist-leaning sentiments. His ideological extremism, coupled with personal rage, appears to have cemented his resolve to act violently.

What were the immediate security concerns after Kennedy’s assassination?

The files also outline the intense national security response following the assassination. FBI and Secret Service agents scrambled to assess the threat to other members of the Kennedy family. One incident described in the documents involved an individual who made threats and tried to board the plane carrying Kennedy’s body, raising fears of coordinated attacks.

Law enforcement agencies launched a sweeping effort to trace any wider network or ideological movement connected to Sirhan, although no direct conspirators were ever found. However, the rapid deployment of surveillance, interviews, and border checks underscored the perceived risk of further violence in the politically volatile period of the late 1960s.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s long-standing push for transparency

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the slain senator and current U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, has repeatedly urged the federal government to release all files related to his father’s murder. In past statements, he has raised doubts about whether Sirhan acted alone, citing alleged inconsistencies in eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence.

Kennedy Jr. welcomed the declassification, stating that access to the full investigative record is vital for historical accountability and public trust. While the newly released documents largely reinforce the established narrative of Sirhan as a lone gunman with extremist motives, they stop short of conclusively settling the debate over possible additional shooters or deeper conspiracies.

How has the U.S. government explained the release?

The decision to declassify the RFK assassination files follows a broader policy move by the Trump administration to increase public access to federal records from high-profile events. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in a statement that the release helps Americans “engage more deeply with the historical record and better understand how government responds to internal threats.”

Historians and transparency advocates have welcomed the move, noting that while the RFK files may not contain dramatic new evidence of conspiracy, they do provide invaluable detail about the inner workings of a critical moment in U.S. history.

Does this close the chapter on RFK conspiracy theories?

Despite the detailed narrative outlined in the released documents, many believe the full truth remains elusive. Experts note that the files confirm Sirhan’s ideological motives and personal fixation on the Kennedy family, but questions persist over whether all forensic evidence was properly assessed during the original investigation.

Some witness accounts, particularly those citing more than one gunshot source, continue to fuel alternate theories. While the federal government maintains that Sirhan acted alone, public trust in that conclusion has been eroded over decades by redacted evidence and delayed disclosures.

Still, the declassification marks a meaningful step in resolving one of America’s most traumatic political events and reflects the enduring demand for transparency in how such cases are handled.