The Papers Are Out!
- Yazad Bhacka
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
The recent release of thousands of previously classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 has reignited public interest and debate about one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. The files, released by the Trump administration, offer new insights into CIA operations and potential connections to organised crime, but they do not conclusively prove a conspiracy involving the CIA or other entities.
The possibility of the involvement of foreign governments in the assassination was indicated through recorded visits of the infamous shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, to both the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City weeks before flying out to Dallas. While there are several links to the mafia, too, such as one file, where the FBI was concerned about the mob bosses being dissatisfied with the Kennedys, there is no conclusive evidence the files provide linking JFK’s assassination to developing more conspiracy theories.
64000 pages of evidence and not a single shred that could unassailably prove the involvement of the CIA or other three letter agencies in the lead-up to the events in Dallas. The detailed document also included information regarding the CIA’s infamous attempts to overthrow foreign governments in the 1960s, such as those of the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Although there is limited evidence to connect the CIA to this, too, there lies an uncovered truth regarding US hegemony across Latin America, which is finally visible to the eyes of the average American. Prior to the latest release, over 99% of the JFK assassination documents had already been made public under the 1992 JFK Records Act.
Despite promises from former President Trump to disclose all remaining records, only about 2,800 documents were released during his first term, with many more withheld at the request of the CIA and FBI. The Biden administration later released around 17,000 additional documents, leaving fewer than 4,700 files still partially or fully withheld.
Recently, the FBI uncovered an additional 2,400 previously undisclosed documents. While President Trump highlighted the significance of the latest release, many of the documents were duplicates of previously released material, although some included new, unredacted information. A range of new conspiracy theories have subsequently popped up all across the media to which the Trump administration has also added its own opinions.
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump suggested that Ted Cruz's father was involved in the assassination, referencing a story published in the National Enquirer. However, in 2024, David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified that this story was fabricated. Trump's actions have continued to fuel speculation and conspiracy theories about JFK's death, even as he has released thousands of documents related to the case. Despite these releases, many of the documents have been met with disappointment, as they often contain previously known information or are duplicates of earlier releases.
Does the release of the documents mark another PR stunt for the Trump administration? Indeed, this is a targeted methodology from Trump to create a persona of transparency around the administration while at the same time choosing not to disclose documents related to his federal prosecution.
Overall, experts still believe that releasing the documents has been a positive step by the administration. The American people must decide for themselves whether they can put their trust in the hegemonic and Machiavellian institutions that take no accountability for their actions and have caused unprecedented damage to regions such as Latin America and West Asia under the pretext of national security. Just like Kevin Costner from the movie JFK (1991), the American people must traverse the unknown limits of the agencies they wholeheartedly think are the preservers of global democracy.
Written By: Yazad Bhacka
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