The Trump administration has made public a significant cache of documents related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which had been previously withheld for decades. This release comes after a court order mandated the declassification of approximately 230,000 pages of FBI files that detail the surveillance the civil rights leader was subjected to during his life. King, who was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, was just 39 years old at the time of his death. His killer, James Earl Ray, originally admitted to the crime but later recanted his confession.
Trump Administration Discloses Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Files
Trump Administration Discloses Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Files
Newly released FBI records shed light on the surveillance of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., prompting family concerns.
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.
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.
