Trump Administration To Continue Releasing RFK Assassination Records
The recent release of over 10,000 pages of previously classified records related to the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy has opened a new chapter in public access to government files, reigniting discussion about a tragedy that unfolded nearly six decades ago.
The declassification, initiated by the Trump administration and overseen by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, marks a significant step in making federal documents available to researchers and the public.
A Long-Awaited Disclosure
The first tranche of records, now accessible online through the National Archives at archives.gov/rfk, was released on Friday with limited redactions for privacy reasons.
According to Gabbard, an additional 50,000 pages of material, recently discovered in FBI and CIA storage facilities, are under review for future release.
Nearly 60 years after the tragic assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the American people will, for the first time, have the opportunity to review the federal government’s investigation.
Tulsi Gabbard.
The effort has been supported by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the senator’s son and current Health and Human Services Secretary, who has long questioned the official account of his father’s death.
“I’m very grateful,” Kennedy Jr. said regarding the document release, reflecting his personal stake in the process.
The 1968 Assassination and Lingering Questions
Senator Kennedy was killed in Los Angeles in June 1968 while campaigning for the presidency. Sirhan Sirhan, arrested at the scene, was convicted of murder.
Over the years, Sirhan has oscillated between admitting guilt and claiming memory loss, and his repeated parole requests have been denied, most recently by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021.
Some researchers continue to challenge the official narrative, citing discrepancies in witness accounts and forensic evidence, while others maintain Sirhan acted alone.
Uncertain Impact of New Records
While portions of the RFK investigation, including FBI files, have been available through California archives for years, it remains unclear whether these newly released federal records will provide significant new insights.
The release follows similar declassifications related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., each of which has fueled both scholarly analysis and public speculation.
As historians and researchers begin to examine the documents, the extent to which they address unresolved questions or amplify existing debates will become clearer.
For now, the release represents a notable effort to bring long-hidden government records into the public domain.