Trump Administration Releases Long Secret Kennedy Files: What to Know

President Donald Trump’s administration declassified and released a batch of previously secret documents Friday related to the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

The files, now accessible on the National Archives website, mark the first time the public can review the federal government’s full investigative records on the tragic event.

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), announced the release, stating: “Nearly 60 years after Senator Kennedy’s assassination, the American people will finally see the government’s investigation—thanks to President Trump’s leadership. My team is honored to have led this declassification effort, and we extend our deepest gratitude to the Kennedy family for their support.”

The documents, uploaded to archives.gov/research/rfk, could shed new light on one of America’s most controversial political killings. RFK, a Democratic presidential candidate and brother of slain President John F. Kennedy, was shot dead at Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel in June 1968. His assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, was convicted but lingering questions about possible conspiracies have persisted for decades.

The release follows years of pressure from historians, researchers, and transparency advocates demanding full disclosure. While some files were made public in 2017, Trump’s administration accelerated declassification efforts, fulfilling a promise to “end government secrecy” around historical events.

What’s in the Files?

While the contents are still being analyzed, experts anticipate revelations about:

• Investigative gaps in the original LAPD and FBI probes.
• Witness testimonies that may contradict official narratives.
• Possible intelligence agency involvement, a subject of long-standing speculation.