The new JFK files release: intriguing details or ho-hum?

It depends on who's writing the story

Early reports on the March 18, release of 1,123 JFK assassination documents reveal a split in coverage: while traditional news outlets like The New York Times and Forbes downplay the findings as lacking a “smoking gun,” alternative sources like StupidDOPE, a pop culture and urban news site, and LiveMint, an Indian business news outlet, spotlight more intriguing details.

They include:

• Unredacted CIA memos showing the agency tracked Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald more closely than earlier admitted.

• Ballistic hints and witness accounts suggesting a possible grassy knoll shot contradicting the lone-gunman narrative.

• Wiretaps tying Oswald assassin Jack Ruby to the mob.

In the early hours after the document release, The Washington Post notes some depth but aligns with the cautious take, suggesting no major rewrite of historical views, yet.

Read on for details.

On March 18, 2025, the National Archives released 1,123 previously classified documents, spurred by President Donald Trump’s executive order on March 17, to unseal all remaining JFK files without redactions. More documents are still apparently to come.

Reported by ABC News and The Washington Post, this release goes a long way toward Trump fulfilling a campaign promise. It supposedly covers what the Archives calls “all records previously withheld for classification” in the JFK Assassination Records Collection, though some stay sealed under court or tax rules. The release is part of an estimated 80,000 pages, offering fresh glimpses into a case that’s gripped the public since 1963.

I utilized GROK Artificial Intelligence (AI) to scan the media landscape and reporting so far, in order to summarize any significant findings and analyses.

Please note that AI is a helpful but imperfect tool. The following information is an AI-gathered summary that may be subject to change and revisions. I’ve included specific cites for the material quoted.

By way of background, the long awaited release of the files stems from the 1992 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act. That was driven, in part, by the 1991 film JFK by director and producer Oliver Stone.

JFK follows New Orleans DA Jim Garrison as he investigates a conspiracy behind President Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, challenging the Warren Commission’s “lone-gunman” conclusion.

The Act mandated full disclosure of records by 2017 — unless the President were to make certain determinations to withhold them. President Donald Trump told me in an interview Sunday that “certain people” in the administration whom he respected asked him not to release all of the documents back then and he agreed not to. He did release some. However, he told me he now wishes he had released them all back then. He added that several thousand new documents had been found in the interim period. President Joe Biden released more but continued to withhold some documents from release.

The New York Times notes that 99% of the roughly 320,000 known Kennedy papers—over 5 million pages—were public before yesteray, but over 2,100 remained withheld for security reasons, and 2,500 more under seals (The New York Times, March 18, 2025, 19:42 EDT).

Trump’s 2017 and Biden’s 2022–2023 releases (e.g., 13,173 docs in 2022) came with redactions, but this week’s release, boosted by a new FBI find of 2,400 records, aims for completeness (Forbes, March 18, 2025, 19:24 EDT).

Here’s some of what’s being reported so far.

CIA Tracking of Oswald: LiveMint reports that unredacted CIA memos show the agency tracked Lee Harvey Oswald more closely than admitted, detailing his Mexico City embassy visits weeks before the assassination (LiveMint, March 18, 2025, 22:22 EDT). The Washington Post adds that these files suggest missed opportunities rather than agency involvement, offering no conspiracy proof but more operational insight (The Washington Post, March 18, 2025, 21:41 EDT). NBC News frames it as “details on intelligence operations,” reinforcing Oswald’s lone role (NBC News, March 18, 2025, 19:49 EDT).

Grassy Knoll Evidence: LiveMint highlights ballistic hints and witness accounts suggesting a possible grassy knoll shot, contradicting the lone-gunman narrative of three shots from the Texas School Book Depository (LiveMint, March 18, 2025, 22:22 EDT). StupidDOPE labels these “electrifying,” challenging the Warren Commission’s 8.6-second timeline, though AP News cautions it’s not definitive yet (StupidDOPE, March 18, 2025, 17:00 EDT; AP News, March 18, 2025, 19:23 EDT).

Ruby’s Mob Ties: StupidDOPE reports wiretaps that tie Jack Ruby to the mob, suggesting he acted to silence Oswald under organized crime pressure, not impulse (StupidDOPE, March 18, 2025, 17:00 EDT). The Economic Times notes researchers are still assessing these links, but they could deepen conspiracy theories about external players (The Economic Times, March 18, 2025, 21:33 EDT).

Why Withheld Until Now: The New York Times explains that agencies like the CIA withheld these details—e.g., a 1966 memo on fluoroscopic tech—for security, protecting sources and methods (The New York Times, March 18, 2025, 19:42 EDT). ABC News says redactions are now gone, with Jefferson Morley calling it “encouraging” for a third of 3,500 files (ABC News, March 18, 2025, 23:15 EDT).

No Big Reveal—Yet: The New York Times cites scholars like Jonathan Eig doubting a “smoking gun,” given prior releases (The New York Times, March 18, 2025, 19:42 EDT). Forbes agrees, noting the 1,123 PDFs—mostly short—uphold Oswald’s solo act (Forbes, March 18, 2025, 19:24 EDT). The Independent confirms Trump’s “no redactions” promise holds (The Independent, March 18, 2025, 22:25 EDT).

Document Challenges: The New York Times reports some files are “illegible” or photocopy-damaged, slowing review (The New York Times, March 18, 2025, 19:42 EDT). PBS News adds that while CIA memos on Oswald are clearer, the 80,000-page volume delays breakthroughs (PBS News, March 18, 2025, 13:59 EDT).

Context and Next Steps: Fox News ties this to Trump’s transparency push, though USA Today notes legal seals remain (Fox News, March 18, 2025, 11:50 EDT; USA Today, March 18, 2025, 19:04 EDT). AP News says more files and 2,400 FBI docs may follow, per Morley (AP News, March 18, 2025, 19:23 EDT). Reuters sees it as a promise kept, with more to explore (Reuters, March 18, 2025, 21:59 EDT).

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