In a move fulfilling a campaign promise, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order declassifying files related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. This action aims to bring transparency to these historical events, which have been shrouded in speculation and conspiracy theories for decades.

The declassification addresses the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, where Lee Harvey Oswald was identified as the primary suspect but was himself killed shortly after. While Trump had previously released some JFK files, a portion remained classified due to national security concerns. This new order seeks to make all remaining information public.

The order also encompasses the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, who was killed during his presidential campaign by Sirhan Sirhan. Additionally, it includes the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., also in 1968, by James Earl Ray. Although no congressional mandate exists for releasing the RFK and MLK files, Trump deemed their release to be in the public interest.

The King family has expressed their desire to review the files privately before public release, acknowledging the personal impact of their father's assassination. Representative Anna Paulina Luna applauded the move, emphasizing the public's right to know the truth. The declassification raises questions about the process and timeline for releasing the documents, particularly concerning the MLK files, which were previously scheduled for release in 2027 under the Martin Luther King Jr. Records Collection Act.

These assassinations have been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories, often alleging government involvement. The release of these files is intended to address these theories and provide a clearer understanding of the events surrounding these deaths.