In a notable move during his initial days in office, President Trump issued several executive orders, including one that has captured the attention of conspiracy enthusiasts. On Thursday, he instructed federal agencies to “formulate a plan for the complete and thorough declassification of records concerning the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,” alongside those of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“That’s a significant one, isn’t it? Many have been anticipating this for a long time — years, even decades,” remarked the president while endorsing the order. The executive order can be viewed here.

How to Access Declassified Documents on JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations

For those expecting an immediate flood of intriguing documents, there may be some disappointment. The federal bureaucracy does not typically operate at a rapid pace. Instead of instantaneous disclosures, this order grants the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General a period of 15 days to scrutinize the JFK assassination files, an additional 45 days for the records pertaining to RFK and MLK, and ultimately to “submit a plan” to the president for the “total and complete disclosure of these records.”

Any newly released files regarding JFK’s assassination are likely to be archived alongside the extensive JFK repository held by the National Security Agency, which already contains nearly 5 million pages of public records on the subject. According to the National Archives and Records Administration, approximately 97% of governmental records concerning JFK’s assassination are currently accessible to the public.

Will All Documents Related to JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations Be Released?

It remains uncertain whether the president will authorize the public release of all files and documents linked to these tragic events without redactions. There exists the possibility that Trump may review the findings, commend the effort, and ultimately choose to take no action.

The president possesses the authority to balance the public’s interest in transparency against the risks posed to intelligence operations, national security, and diplomatic relations. How he might assess these considerations is yet to be determined, although the executive order does indicate that “all records held by the federal government relevant to these assassinations also hold public importance.”

Hasn’t This Been Done Already?

If this situation feels somewhat familiar, that’s entirely reasonable. During Trump’s first administration in 2017, an announcement was made regarding the opening of JFK files:

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Since that time, incremental updates about JFK’s assassination have been unveiled, yet thousands of documents remain sealed, with numerous redactions waiting to be lifted from records already accessible to the public.

Potential Revelations Beyond the Kennedy Assassinations

While conspiracy theories surrounding John F. Kennedy’s assassination have permeated American folklore since shortly after the event, similar theories regarding RFK’s demise have also surfaced, drawing intense scrutiny from enthusiasts and historians alike. Conversely, public intrigue concerning the conspiracy theories associated with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. has not reached the same level and might lead to the most substantial discoveries — if these documents are ever fully revealed.

The King family has consistently argued that the official account — which holds James Earl Ray, a petty criminal, responsible for the assassination — lacks credibility. They highlight the FBI’s extensive campaign of surveillance and harassment against King, along with inconsistencies in the evidence surrounding his murder. In 1979, the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations declared that “there was a likelihood of conspiracy in the assassination of Dr. King.”