The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: Still Fueling Conspiracy Theories After 60 Years
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy still fuels conspiracy theories more than 60 years after his death. (EPA Images pic)
US President Donald Trump Orders Declassification of Secret Files
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump ordered the declassification of the last secret files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a case that still fuels conspiracy theories more than 60 years after his death.
Trump signed an executive order that will also release documents on the 1960s assassinations of JFK’s younger brother Robert F Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
"That’s big one, huh? A lot of people have been waiting for this for years, for decades," Trump told reporters as he signed the order in the Oval Office of the White House.
"Everything will be revealed."
After signing the order, Trump passed the pen he used to an aide, saying "Give that to RFK Jr.," JFK’s nephew and the current president’s nominee to become secretary of the department of health and human services.
The National Interest
The order Trump signed requires the "full and complete release" of the JFK files, without redactions that he accepted back in 2017 when releasing most of the documents.
"It is in the national interest to finally release all records related to these assassinations without delay," the order said.
Trump had previously promised to release the last of the files, most recently at his inauguration on Monday.
Overwhelming Evidence
The US National Archives has released tens of thousands of records in recent years related to the Nov 22, 1963 assassination of President Kennedy but held thousands back, citing national security concerns.
It said at the time of the latest large-scale release, in December 2022, that 97% of the Kennedy records – which total five million pages – had now been made public.
The Warren Commission that investigated the shooting of the charismatic 46-year-old president determined that it was carried out by a former Marine sharpshooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone.
But that formal conclusion has done little to quell speculation that a more sinister plot was behind Kennedy’s murder in Dallas, Texas, and the slow release of the government files has added fuel to various conspiracy theories.
Conspiracy Theories
Thousands of Kennedy assassination-related documents from the National Archives were released during Trump’s first term in office, but he also held some back on national security grounds.
Then-president Joe Biden said at the time of the December 2022 documents release that a "limited" number of files would continue to be held back at the request of unspecified "agencies."
Previous requests to withhold documents have come from the CIA and FBI.
Kennedy scholars have said the documents still held by the archives are unlikely to contain any bombshell revelations or put to rest the rampant conspiracy theories about the assassination of the 35th US president.
Oswald, who had at one point defected to the Soviet Union, was shot to death two days after killing Kennedy by a nightclub owner, Jack Ruby, as he was being transferred from the city jail.
Hundreds of books and movies such as the 1991 Oliver Stone film "JFK" have fueled the conspiracy industry, pointing the finger at Cold War rivals Russia or Cuba, the Mafia and even Kennedy’s vice president, Lyndon Johnson.
Conclusion
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy remains one of the most significant and enduring mysteries of the 20th century. Despite the release of thousands of documents, conspiracy theories continue to abound, fueled by speculation and misinformation. The declassification of the remaining files may provide some clarity, but it is unlikely to put to rest the numerous theories surrounding the president’s death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?
A: The assassination of President Kennedy is significant because it was a pivotal moment in American history, marking a shift in the country’s political landscape and sparking widespread conspiracy theories.
Q: Who was responsible for the assassination of President Kennedy?
A: The Warren Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy, but many conspiracy theories point to a more sinister plot involving government agencies, foreign powers, or organized crime.
Q: Why have conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination persisted?
A: Conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy have persisted due to the lack of concrete evidence, the slow release of government files, and the numerous books and movies that have fueled speculation and misinformation.