When former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 to declassify the remaining files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, he vowed that “everything will be revealed.” On March 19, 2025, his administration followed through with the release of thousands of pages of documents, offering deeper insight into the CIA’s operations during the Cold War. This significant release sheds new light on intelligence gathering, covert activities, and the U.S. government’s complex international relations, including those with Israel and the Soviet Union. While certain files remain redacted, the newly available documents are already generating intense discussion among historians, journalists, and researchers.
What Is in the JFK Files?
On March 17, Trump announced the imminent release of “all Kennedy files,” prompting a flurry of activity at the Justice Department. According to the National Archives, 2,182 documents—amounting to nearly 64,000 pages—were made public in PDF format. However, historians and experts quickly noticed that, despite Trump’s promise of full transparency, some redactions remained.
Researchers have already unearthed critical insights, such as JFK’s skepticism toward the CIA, details of assassination plots against Fidel Castro, and previously classified surveillance operations involving Lee Harvey Oswald in Mexico City.
New Revelations from the Files
JFK assassination expert Jefferson Morley described the release as an “encouraging start,” highlighting newly available records that cast fresh light on CIA propaganda efforts involving Oswald.
One key finding includes instructions for CIA operatives on wiretapping techniques, which involved using special chemicals to mark telephone devices—markings that were only visible under UV light. Another notable document, an unredacted version of a 1961 memo by Arthur Schlesinger, revealed JFK’s intent to limit the CIA’s influence after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion.
A particularly intriguing discovery was a 1966 internal CIA memo recommending a “certificate of distinction” for James McCord, an official credited with pioneering X-ray imaging technology used to detect listening devices. McCord later became infamous as a key figure in the Watergate scandal.
Here are some of the most notable findings from the released files:
1. CIA’s Surveillance of Lee Harvey Oswald: The Full Scope Revealed
Date of Event: 1963
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
The most notable revelation from the declassified JFK files is the extent of the CIA’s surveillance of Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of assassinating President Kennedy. The files document the CIA’s monitoring of Oswald’s connections to both the Soviet Union and Cuba.
The documents detail Oswald’s travels and interactions with Soviet and Cuban officials in Mexico City, as well as his attempts to gain access to a Cuban embassy. These findings deepen the understanding of the CIA’s knowledge of Oswald’s activities leading up to the assassination, adding a new layer of context to the investigation. This surveillance reveals that Oswald’s connections were more significant than previously believed, suggesting a higher level of foreign involvement than was originally thought.
2. The CIA’s Covert Operations During the Cold War
Date of Event: 1960s
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
The newly released documents paint a broader picture of the CIA’s covert operations during President Kennedy’s time in office. These operations spanned several regions, from Latin America to Eastern Europe, and targeted Soviet interests as well as the Cuban government.
One key document outlines the CIA’s plan to assassinate Cuban leader Fidel Castro, while another details intelligence-gathering missions related to Soviet missile installations in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The files also reveal the internal tensions within the U.S. government, as Kennedy sought to assert greater control over the CIA’s operations while the agency continued its clandestine activities around the globe.
3. Conspiracy Theories and the Growing Doubt: Was There a CIA Role in the Assassination?
Date of Event: 1964
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
In the years following President Kennedy’s assassination, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged suggesting that the CIA, or certain factions within the agency, may have been involved in orchestrating or facilitating the murder. While no conclusive evidence has been found to support these theories, the latest batch of JFK files includes documents that provide more context for these claims.
A particular memo from 1964 raises eyebrows, where a former intelligence agent, Gary Underhill, claims the CIA was involved in the assassination. Although the files do not provide direct evidence, the mention of Underhill’s theory reignites debates about the CIA’s potential role in Kennedy’s death. The latest revelations seem to suggest that Oswald may not have been working alone, but they stop short of implicating any official CIA involvement, leaving the door open for further speculation.
4. The CIA’s Technological Surveillance Advancements in the 1960s
Date of Event: 1960s
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Among the most fascinating revelations in the newly declassified JFK files is the CIA’s advanced technological capabilities during the 1960s. The documents reveal that the agency was at the forefront of developing cutting-edge surveillance technology, such as fluoroscopic scanning, which was used to detect hidden surveillance devices and bugs planted by foreign intelligence agencies.
These technologies were employed during high-stakes diplomatic missions and intelligence gathering operations, reflecting the agency’s commitment to safeguarding its sensitive information from espionage. The technological advancements detailed in the files further highlight the sophisticated tools the CIA used in its Cold War operations and surveillance campaigns.
5. Covert CIA Operations in Mexico City: Fidel Castro and Soviet Ties
Date of Event: June 1960
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
A particularly interesting section of the JFK files deals with the CIA’s operations in Mexico City during the 1960s, especially in relation to Cuba and the Soviet Union. The files reveal that the CIA was actively monitoring Cuban diplomats and their interactions with Soviet officials, which led them to uncover significant intelligence regarding communist activities in Latin America.
One striking detail is the involvement of Manuel Machado Llosas, a Mexican revolutionary leader with close ties to Fidel Castro. Machado was recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Cuban revolutionary groups and report on their activities. This revelation showcases the CIA’s extensive efforts to track and counter the spread of communism in Latin America during the Cold War.
6. CIA’s Role in Diplomatic Relations: Women and Companionship in Official State Visits
Date of Event: 1959
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
The newly declassified documents also shed light on the CIA’s covert involvement in arranging “feminine companionship” for foreign leaders during official state visits. One particularly unusual case involves the CIA facilitating “companions” for Jordan’s King Hussein during a 1959 visit.
This bizarre and previously unknown aspect of CIA operations reveals the lengths to which the agency went in influencing diplomatic relations, even arranging personal matters for foreign dignitaries to maintain good relations. It underscores the CIA’s deep integration into not only political but also personal spheres during this period.
7. The CIA’s Espionage Tactics: Operations Against Soviet Sugar Shipments
Date of Event: Aug 29, 1962
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
In one of the more unorthodox revelations, the declassified JFK files expose a CIA operation designed to sabotage a Soviet sugar shipment from Cuba in the early 1960s. The operation, which involved contaminating the sugar with a harmless but unpalatable chemical, aimed to damage the Soviet Union’s economic interests and disrupt their trade with Cuba.
This covert operation provides a glimpse into the CIA’s willingness to employ creative and unconventional tactics to undermine Soviet influence during the Cold War, reflecting the intense economic warfare that characterized much of the geopolitical struggle between the two superpowers.
8. CIA’s Fake Organization: “Union for the Revolution” Targeting Arab Groups
Date of Event: May 28, 1978
Agency: Different including FBI
A recently unredacted section of a declassified document reveals that the CIA established a fictitious organization named the “Union for the Revolution.” The agency set up post office boxes in Boston and Philadelphia, using them to distribute propaganda designed to attract and infiltrate revolutionary Arab movements in the Middle East. The operation aimed to develop intelligence sources within these groups and monitor their activities.
9. Israel’s Role in the Middle East: Tensions and Intelligence Collaboration
Date of Event: 1963
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Another significant part of the newly declassified JFK files centers on the growing relationship between the United States and Israel during the Kennedy administration. The documents show that Kennedy was deeply concerned with Israel’s nuclear ambitions and its potential to destabilize the Middle East.
One critical file reveals a secret 1963 memo discussing Israel’s nuclear program and the United States’ efforts to curtail it. Kennedy’s administration sought to prevent Israel from acquiring nuclear weapons, fearing that it would provoke a nuclear arms race in the region. The documents also detail ongoing CIA intelligence operations focused on monitoring Israeli activities, as well as discussions within the U.S. government on how to navigate the increasingly delicate relationship with Israel.
The files also expose the extent of U.S. military and intelligence support to Israel during the early stages of the Arab-Israeli conflict, highlighting a close but often complex alliance. The declassified documents provide new insights into the diplomatic and military strategies that shaped U.S.-Israel relations during this period.
10. Ukraine and Soviet Influence: Espionage and Cold War Rivalries
Date of Event: 1960s
Agency: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
The declassified JFK files also touch on the U.S. intelligence community’s actions in Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union during the 1960s. One section of the files focuses on the CIA’s surveillance of Ukrainian expatriates who were suspected of being Soviet spies or sympathizers.
These documents suggest that the U.S. government was deeply concerned with Soviet influence in Ukraine and the broader Eastern Bloc. In particular, the CIA monitored Ukrainian nationalist groups and sought to infiltrate Soviet intelligence networks operating in Europe and the U.S.
The files reveal how the CIA used Ukrainian expatriates as sources of intelligence on Soviet activities and military operations. This adds a new dimension to the understanding of the Cold War espionage network, showing that Ukraine was seen as a critical battleground in the fight between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Is This the Complete Archive?
Despite the significant document dump, it remains unclear if this release represents the full collection of files that Trump ordered declassified. The National Archives has indicated that more records will be digitized and made available over time.
Redactions and Ongoing Secrecy: What’s Still Hidden in the JFK Files?
While the declassification of these documents marks a significant step forward in understanding the Kennedy assassination, many key files remain redacted or withheld. These omissions are primarily attributed to national security concerns, particularly the protection of intelligence sources and methods still in use today.
Many researchers and historians are disappointed by the continued secrecy surrounding certain documents, which may hold crucial evidence about the CIA’s involvement in events leading up to and following the assassination. The remaining redactions only fuel suspicions and give rise to the possibility that there is more to the story that the public has yet to learn. It’s clear that while progress has been made, the full extent of the information may not be disclosed for years to come.
Privacy Breaches in the Released Files
The March release also raised privacy concerns, as it inadvertently disclosed the Social Security numbers of approximately 100 staff members of the House Select Committee on Assassinations, many of whom are still alive. One of the affected individuals, Joseph DiGenova—who later served as Trump’s attorney—called the leak “absolutely outrageous.”
Why Were the JFK Files Withheld for So Long?
The release of these documents has been delayed for decades, despite the 1992 President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act mandating their full disclosure by 2017. Both Trump and Joe Biden postponed the full release, citing national security concerns. While Biden declassified 13,000 documents in 2022 and another set in 2023, approximately 4,000 documents remained redacted.
Some of the withheld records were sealed due to court orders or donor agreements. Experts believe that many of the hidden names and investigative methods involve illegal surveillance tactics, particularly in monitoring organized crime figures.
What Did Experts Expect to Find?
Since 1992, around 320,000 JFK-related documents have been reviewed, with 99% made public. However, key files remain classified, including a cache of 2,400 documents that were never submitted for review. Experts speculated that these documents might contain additional insights into intelligence operations surrounding JFK’s assassination.
One of the most sought-after pieces of evidence remains inaccessible: tapes of interviews conducted with Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy after JFK’s assassination. These recordings, held by the Kennedy Presidential Library, are under a secrecy agreement preventing their release until 2067.
The House Oversight Task Force on Declassification
Trump’s declassification order has prompted further congressional action. On February 11, the House Oversight Committee announced the creation of the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, which will focus on public access to information related to JFK, 9/11, Jeffrey Epstein, COVID origins, and UFOs. The first public hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2025.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Response
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a staunch advocate for full transparency regarding the assassinations of his uncle and father, has supported Trump’s decision. He described it as a significant step toward curbing government secrecy, linking the concealment of JFK-related records to broader issues of governmental deception spanning Vietnam, 9/11, and the Iraq War.
Read the full JFK documents: https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/release-2025
Related stories:
Trump Administration Bans Hundreds of Diversity and Inclusion Terms from Federal Records
Mahmoud Khalil Arrested by Trump Administration for Pro-Palestine Activism at Columbia University
