National Archives releases thousands of JFK assassination records

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Another batch of JFK’s assassination records was released by the National Archives upon the orders of President Joe Biden.
• Released were 12,879 new files which comprises 70% of 16,000 redacted files.
• The order also set June 30, 2023 as the deadline for the remaining records to be publicly released allowing other federal agencies and the National Archives to review for recommendation.  

In what could be the largest dump since 2018 of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination records, the National Archives released 12,879 new files.

The National Archives has already released a total of approximately 55,000 documents upon President Joe Biden’s orders and Congress’ deadline.

A 1992 legislation required all the remaining assassination records to be released by Oct. 2017 provided that it does not pose any risk to national intelligence or defense.  Presidents Trump and Biden issued extensions on the deadline.

Biden’s extension argued that the coronavirus pandemic posed impediments on the agencies’ ability to review the records to comply with the earlier deadline issued.

The president’s order called for almost 16,000 records to remain redacted but released 70 percent of them.

President Biden also set June 30, 2023 to publicly release the remaining records.

This allows the National Archives and other federal agencies to review an unspecified “limited” number of records until May 1, 2023, before they can recommend whether the records can be released or remain private.

Biden’s order states, “Agencies shall not propose to continue redacting information unless the redaction is necessary to protect against an identifiable harm to the military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or the conduct of foreign relations that is of such gravity that it outweighs the public interest in disclosure.”

Meanwhile, one organization that curates assassination records online, the nonprofit Mary Ferrell Foundation, argued that based on the 1992 legislation, the extension on the release of the documents were unlawful.

The Mary Ferrell Foundation has not issued any comment as of publication.

A year ago, 1,491 documents were published by the National Archives regarding the assassination.

JFK is the fourth president of the United States to be assassinated while in office.

Source: The Hill