The Trump administration has started releasing thousands of classified documents related to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was killed in 1968. This significant move is expected to spark renewed interest and debate about the events surrounding his death.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the senator’s son, supports the release. He has long questioned the official narrative, suggesting there may have been a second gunman and that Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of the assassination, might not have fired the deadly shots. Kennedy Jr. stated that making these documents public is essential for restoring trust in the government. He praised President Trump for his commitment to transparency and also acknowledged Tulsi Gabbard for her efforts in pushing for the declassification of these files.
Robert F. Kennedy was shot shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, just after celebrating a primary victory. Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian immigrant, was arrested at the scene with a .22-caliber handgun. He had written a manifesto expressing his desire to kill Kennedy. Despite Sirhan’s arrest, questions about the number of shots fired that night have persisted, as reports suggest that more bullets may have been discharged than his gun could hold.
Kennedy Jr., who was only 14 when his father was assassinated, has met with Sirhan in prison and has advocated for his release. He has raised theories about another individual, Thane Eugene Caesar, a security guard, possibly being involved in the shooting.
Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, announced that about 10,000 pages of documents related to both Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. have been made available online. These files, previously hidden in federal archives, will be accessible with some redactions for privacy reasons.
As experts begin to sift through the newly released documents, initial reactions have been mixed. Tim Tate, a documentary filmmaker and author, expressed disappointment, stating that the first batch he reviewed did not significantly add to the historical record. He found many of the documents to be duplicates of existing records. However, he noted that there are still thousands of pages to examine, suggesting that more revelations could emerge.
The release of these documents comes as part of a broader effort by Trump, who had promised during his campaign to declassify files related to high-profile assassinations. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has indicated that an additional 50,000 pages were discovered during searches of federal facilities and are being prepared for public release.
The implications of these documents could be far-reaching. Some experts argue that the withholding of such files might have legal ramifications for Sirhan’s defense team, potentially affecting past and future parole hearings. As the investigation into the assassination continues, the newly available documents may provide new insights or fuel further speculation about what really happened on that fateful night in 1968.