Trump Administration Releases Over 200,000 MLK Assassination Files
Trump administration declassified over 200,000 FBI records on Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination, fulfilling a promise, despite King family opposition.
Trump Administration Releases FBI Records on MLK Jr.
TIME Magazine
Trump admin drops thousands of FBI documents on MLK Jr. assassination
Washington Examiner
Overview
- The Trump administration declassified and released over 200,000 pages of FBI records related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination, fulfilling a key campaign promise.
- These extensive documents, sealed since 1977, include investigation details, potential leads, and foreign evidence concerning James Earl Ray's global manhunt.
- King's family, including his children, strongly opposed the public release, emphasizing the personal nature and urging historical context for the newly available records.
- Despite their objections, the King family received advance notice and early access to review the records, expressing doubts that James Earl Ray acted alone in the assassination.
- Scholars, journalists, and history buffs are now studying the newly digitized and minimally redacted records, hoping to uncover new insights into King's life or his murder.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present multiple facets of the story without editorializing or using loaded language. They attribute strong opinions and theories to specific individuals or groups, such as the King family or critics like Al Sharpton. They also provide historical context and details about the files without pushing a particular agenda.
"The release on Monday follows through on an executive order Trump signed days into his second term, requiring the release and declassification of records connected to King's murder and the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy – tragedies that have been the subject of curiosity and conspiracy theories for decades."
NPR"The release of documents concerning the assassination of our father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has long been a subject of interest, captivating public curiosity for decades."
USA TODAY"The release of these files must be viewed within their full historical context."
BBC News"The release of over 230,000 pages of records on Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination marks a significant step towards transparency and historical accountability."
CBS News"The release of 230,000 MLK assassination files marks a significant step towards transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination."
ABC News"The Trump administration has released records of the FBI’s surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr., despite opposition from the slain Nobel laureate’s family and the civil rights group that he led until his 1968 assassination."
ABC News"The Kings said they “support transparency and historical accountability” but “object to any attacks on our father’s legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread falsehoods.”"
Associated PressArticles (17)
Center (7)
FAQ
The release of the MLK assassination files was ordered by President Trump through Executive Order 14176. The process involved collaboration between the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
The released documents include details about the FBI's investigation into MLK's assassination, including potential leads and internal FBI memos. They also contain CIA records on the hunt for James Earl Ray and foreign evidence from a Canadian police department.
The King family opposed the public release of the records, questioning the guilt of James Earl Ray and suggesting a conspiracy. Despite this, they were given advance notice and early access to review the documents.
The release marks the first time these records are published online in one collection with minimal redactions, providing unprecedented access for researchers and the public.
History
- 2M12 articles
