Thousands of New JFK Assassination Files Set to Be Released After Trump Announcement
Sarah Johnson
March 18, 2025
Brief
Donald Trump announces the release of 80,000 unredacted JFK assassination files, promising unprecedented transparency and igniting renewed interest in decades-old conspiracy theories and historical mysteries.
In a bold move that has history buffs and conspiracy theorists buzzing, former President Donald Trump announced the imminent release of approximately 80,000 unredacted files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The files are set to go public today, ending decades of speculation and anticipation.
Trump, speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., revealed his directive to declassify the documents, saying, "People have been waiting for decades for this, and I’ve instructed my people... they must be released tomorrow." He added, "I don’t believe we’re going to redact anything. I said, 'just don’t redact, you can’t redact.'" Well, that’s one way to cut through government bureaucracy.
The release follows an executive order signed by Trump earlier this year, which also included directives to declassify files tied to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The order required a proposed plan for the JFK files release by February 7, and today’s announcement indicates Trump is making good on his promise.
Trump has described the files as "very interesting," which might be the understatement of the year. The JFK assassination has long been a breeding ground for theories involving everything from shadowy government agencies to extraterrestrial involvement. With 80,000 unredacted files, there’s bound to be plenty for everyone—from historians to Reddit sleuths—to chew on.
This release comes on the heels of a February revelation by the FBI that unearthed 2,400 previously undisclosed records linked to the JFK case. The bureau noted these documents had only recently been inventoried and digitized.
The timing also coincides with a Justice Department release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which disappointed critics by offering little new information. The lackluster Epstein release has raised hopes that the JFK files might deliver more substance, especially given the sensitivity and controversy surrounding Kennedy’s assassination.
Trump has faced criticism in the past for delaying the release of JFK-related documents during his first term, citing appeals from the CIA and FBI. Former President Joe Biden also postponed the release of certain JFK files in 2021, citing pandemic-related delays. It seems the promise of unveiling these documents is a perennial favorite for presidents, but few manage to deliver. Trump’s move today could mark a turning point.
The broader implications of the JFK files release remain uncertain. Will these documents finally put to rest questions about one of the most infamous moments in American history? Or will they simply add more fuel to the fire of speculation? Time—and a lot of reading—will tell.
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Editor's Comments
Trump’s insistence on releasing the files without redactions is refreshing, but it also feels like he’s throwing a bit of gasoline on the conspiracy-theory bonfire. The JFK assassination is already a Pandora’s box of questions, and dumping 80,000 unredacted files into the public domain is bound to spark some wild interpretations. If nothing else, this is going to be an exciting—and probably chaotic—week for historians and internet sleuths.
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