Tensions Rise as ODNI Seizes CIA Files on Kennedy Assassinations

In early April 2025, officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), led by Director Tulsi Gabbard, conducted an unannounced operation at a secret CIA archival facility in the Washington area. Their objective was to retrieve classified documents related to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. This operation, described as a confrontational moment in the relationship between Gabbard's office and the CIA, culminated in the transfer of a significant trove of documents to the National Archives by the following morning.

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The operation stemmed from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in January 2025, which mandated the declassification of records pertaining to the JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations. Frustration had been mounting within Gabbard's team regarding the slow pace of progress on this initiative, particularly as a 45-day deadline for document review had passed in March. The ODNI asserted legal authority to access the documents, emphasizing that any obstruction could lead to accountability.

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A spokesperson for the ODNI stated that the agency had been working closely with the CIA to facilitate the historic release of files. In a joint statement, Gabbard's office and the CIA affirmed their commitment to collaborating on the declassification process, aiming to restore public trust in the intelligence community. However, conflicting accounts emerged regarding the nature of the interactions during the operation. While some described the exchanges as professional, others noted moments of tension, including shouting at the entryway to the archives.

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Despite the collaborative narrative presented by Gabbard and the CIA, skepticism remains regarding the transparency of the intelligence community. Critics point to the historical context of conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassinations, which have persisted despite official conclusions attributing the murders to lone gunmen. The CIA has consistently rejected allegations of its involvement in these events, yet public distrust endures.

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• “We are actively going out and trying to search out the truth,” — Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence

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• “Efforts by the legacy media to sow internal division are a distraction that will not work,” — Steven Cheung, White House Spokesman

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Following the April operation, the National Archives began releasing approximately 80,000 files related to the Kennedy assassinations, including materials from the CIA. While these declassified documents have provided additional insights into the agency's knowledge of Lee Harvey Oswald, they have not altered the official narrative that he acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy. The ongoing release of files is expected to continue, with the potential for further scrutiny of the CIA's historical actions.

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