Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has announced the release of long-classified files related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The release includes over 230,000 pages of documents connected with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s (MLK) assassination in line with President Donald J. Trump’s executive order, according to an Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) press release.
This release was conducted alongside the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Archives. Trump issued the executive order in January declassify records tied to the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), former President John F. Kennedy (JFK) and MLK.
The MLK records released had never been digitized — unlike the JFK files— and sat untouched in government archives for decades, according to the ODNI. (RELATED: JFK Files Reveal New Depths Of CIA Incompetence)
“The American people have waited nearly sixty years to see the full scope of the federal government’s investigation into Dr. King’s assassination,” said Gabbard.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are ensuring that no stone is left unturned in our mission to deliver complete transparency on this pivotal and tragic event in our nation’s history. I extend my deepest appreciation to the King family for their support.”
The documents include FBI memos outlining the case’s progress, leads in the investigation and records connected to James Earl Ray’s former cellmate, who claimed Ray spoke of an alleged plan to assassinate Dr. King, according to the press release. Ray pleaded guilty to assassinating MLK in 1968 after being arrested in London and was sentenced to a 99-year prison term, according to Britannica. He soon recanted his confession, though he remained in prison.
Also included are Canadian police records tied to Ray’s escape after the assassination and CIA intelligence gathered during the global search to capture him, the agency said.
“In partnership with ODNI and FBI, today’s release represents a significant milestone in CIA’s efforts to deliver maximum transparency to the American people,” said CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
“CIA is proud to contribute to President Trump’s historic initiative to declassify and release intelligence information that serves the public’s interest.” (RELATED: Trump Admin Releases RFK Assassination Files)
Although some of the documents had previously been released in response to FOIA requests, this release marks the first time they’ve been published together online in a single collection with minimized redaction, according to the ODNI. As more files are uncovered, they will be added to the centralized collection.
“Today’s record release marks a historic step in the Trump Administration’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability,” Secretary of State and Acting U.S. Archivist Marco Rubio said.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and a coordinated interagency process, NARA was able to review and release the records at an unprecedented speed.”
American Baptist minister and civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968) holds a press conference at the Savoy Hotel in London, UK, September 1964. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Relatives of MLK Jr. were given early access to review the documents two weeks ahead of the public release.
Dr. Alveda King, niece of MLK, expressed her gratitude to Trump and Gabbard for fulfilling their promise to release the documents related to her uncle’s assassination. (RELATED: ‘Keep Dr. King’s Name Out Of Your Mouth!’: Dem Rep. Lateefah Simon Blows Her Top At GOP Witnesses For Quoting MLK)
“My uncle lived boldly in pursuit of truth and justice, and his enduring legacy of faith continues to inspire Americans to this day,” she said.
“While we continue to mourn his death, the declassification and release of these documents are a historic step towards the truth that the American people deserve.”
