King's two surviving children, Martin III and Bernice, expressed their dismay at the release and urged for careful consideration of the documents. In a statement, they highlighted the invasive strategies used by the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover, which they described as an "assault on the truth" and a violation of their father's privacy. They urged the public to approach these documents with empathy, acknowledging their ongoing grief over King’s legacy.

This unveiling aligns with President Trump's commitment during his campaign to make these materials accessible to the public, which included executive orders for declassifying records related to the assassinations of both King and former President John F. Kennedy.