Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of over 230,000 files tied to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fulfilling a key executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at declassifying long-sealed federal records related to pivotal moments in American history.
“The American people have waited nearly 60 years to see the full scope of the federal government’s investigation into Dr. King’s assassination,” Gabbard said.“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are ensuring that no stone is left unturned.”
The disclosure is part of Trump’s broader push for government transparency, which also includes the release of classified materials related to the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
What’s in the Documents?
The files include:
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FBI memos tracking the investigation into King’s assassination
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Details of discussions and internal leads about the suspected killer, James Earl Ray
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Statements from Ray’s former cellmate, who reportedly discussed an assassination plot
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Foreign evidence from Canadian authorities, detailing Ray’s attempted escape after the April 1968 shooting
The records shed new light on the depth and scope of the FBI’s investigation, offering Americans access to historical evidence that had been sealed and unseen for decades.
“The American people deserve answers decades after the horrific assassination of one of our nation’s great leaders,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.“We’re proud to support President Trump’s directive alongside DNI Gabbard.”
King Family Responds to Historic Release
While the move has been welcomed by many transparency advocates, King’s children, Martin Luther King III and Bernice King, issued a solemn statement urging Americans to engage with the documents respectfully.
“We ask those who engage with the release of these files to do so with empathy, restraint, and respect for our family’s continuing grief,” the family wrote.
The King family had previously opposed the release, citing personal grief and concerns about renewed speculation. Their statement emphasized the deep personal loss they still feel more than five decades later.
“We’ve Never Seen These Before”
Gabbard previously told Trump during an April White House cabinet meeting that most of the files had never been digitized or scanned—and had remained buried in archives.
“These documents have been sitting in storage for decades,” she said.“Over 100 people have been working around the clock to bring them to light.”
Trump’s executive order to declassify the MLK, RFK, and JFK records marks one of the largest transparency efforts in presidential history.
Where to Access the Files
The full trove of newly released MLK documents is now available to the public through the National Archives at: www.archives.gov.
