JFK assassination files unsealed—What the government didn’t want you to see!

The U.S. government has released thousands of pages of declassified records tied to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, marking another milestone in the decades-long effort to disclose historical intelligence surrounding one of the most scrutinized moments in American history. The National Archives confirmed the publication of 80,000 pages of previously classified documents, adding to past disclosures from 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023. These documents are now available online, providing new insights into the political and intelligence landscape of the early 1960s.

This release follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January, which directed government agencies to unseal the remaining JFK assassination files in the “public interest.” While this latest publication includes unredacted versions of key intelligence memos, some records—such as those tied to ongoing legal restrictions or grand jury secrecy—remain sealed.

What Do the Newly Released JFK Assassination Records Reveal?

Among the most significant documents in this batch is an unredacted memo from June 1961, written by Kennedy’s aide Arthur Schlesinger Jr., which offers a rare glimpse into the Central Intelligence Agency’s influence during the Cold War era. The memo, originally marked by heavy redactions, highlights concerns about the CIA’s growing influence over foreign policy and diplomacy—a warning that took on greater significance following Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

Schlesinger’s memo outlines how the CIA’s overseas operations had expanded well beyond intelligence gathering, raising concerns that the agency was overstepping its boundaries and interfering with U.S. State Department efforts. He noted that in some countries, CIA personnel outnumbered State Department officials, an imbalance that he believed threatened America’s diplomatic credibility.

One striking detail from the memo involves the CIA’s influence in France, where Schlesinger described how agency operatives sought exclusive contact with French political figures, including the President of the National Assembly. This level of access, previously undisclosed, sheds new light on the extent of U.S. intelligence activity in Europe during the early 1960s.

Why Have These JFK Assassination Files Been Classified for So Long?

Public access to the JFK assassination records has been subject to decades of delays and political maneuvering. In 1992, Congress passed the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, requiring full declassification by 2017. However, both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden postponed the full release, citing national security concerns and the need for further review.

The decision to keep certain records under seal fueled speculation that the government was concealing information related to Kennedy’s assassination—particularly theories involving the CIA, Cuban exile groups, and organized crime networks. While the Warren Commission’s 1964 report concluded that Kennedy was assassinated by a lone gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald, skepticism has persisted, with many believing that key intelligence agencies withheld critical evidence.

Historians argue that while most of the six million pages of JFK assassination records have already been disclosed, the delay in releasing the final documents has only intensified public distrust. With each new release, researchers gain a more complete picture of Cold War-era intelligence operations, though no document has yet provided definitive proof of an alternative explanation for Kennedy’s assassination.

How Does This Release Affect the CIA’s Legacy?

The CIA’s role in the Kennedy era has long been a subject of debate, particularly following the agency’s involvement in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Kennedy’s administration clashed with intelligence officials after the disastrous attempt to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro, leading to internal tension between the White House and CIA leadership.

The newly released records, including Schlesinger’s memo, add to the historical understanding of how the CIA exerted influence in foreign policy. The disclosure of the agency’s operational scope—particularly in France, Austria, and Chile—raises fresh questions about the limits of intelligence gathering versus active political intervention.

These revelations could also impact modern discussions on government transparency, intelligence oversight, and the balance of power between security agencies and elected officials. While the documents do not provide direct evidence of CIA involvement in Kennedy’s assassination, they contribute to a broader understanding of the agency’s power during a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

What’s Next for JFK Assassination Research?

Despite this substantial disclosure, some records remain classified, with legal experts suggesting that further declassification could depend on future court rulings and national security reviews. Meanwhile, researchers, historians, and conspiracy theorists will continue scrutinizing the latest files, searching for any overlooked details that could shift the understanding of Kennedy’s assassination.

In addition to the JFK assassination records, the government also declassified 1,050 pages related to the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. These newly released files add another layer to the effort to make historical intelligence records fully accessible, reinforcing the ongoing debate over government secrecy and public access to information.

With each release, the Kennedy assassination moves further from speculation and closer to historical clarity. Yet, as long as some files remain under seal, the quest for the full truth behind one of the most defining events in American history is far from over.