A public clash between the Kennedy legacy and former President Donald Trump emerges over the declassification of historical assassination files.
According to Fox News, Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, criticized Trump's executive order to declassify files related to the assassinations of JFK, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., describing it as nothing more than a political maneuver.
The executive order, signed by Trump, mandates officials to present a comprehensive plan within 15 days for releasing JFK assassination records. Additionally, the order requires a 45-day timeline for developing strategies to disclose files pertaining to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Trump's declaration emphasized that withholding JFK assassination information contradicts public interest.
Jack Schlossberg took to X to express his disapproval of Trump's decision. His statement directly challenged the former president's motives behind the declassification order, as shown in his post:
Declassification is using JFK as a political prop, when he's not here to punch back. There's nothing heroic about it.
In contrast to Schlossberg's criticism, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, praised the decision. He characterized it as a significant step toward transparency and commended Trump for fulfilling his commitment to governmental honesty.
The King family has also weighed in on the matter, requesting an opportunity to review the files before their public release. Their involvement adds another layer of complexity to the historic document release.
Trump's history with these classified files extends back to his first administration when he initially promised their release. However, those plans were halted following interventions from the CIA and FBI, citing severe security concerns that outweighed the public interest.
During a recent appearance on "Hannity," Trump revealed that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had requested him to maintain the files' classified status. The specific reasons behind Pompeo's request remain undisclosed, adding to the intrigue surrounding these sensitive documents.
The declassification effort represents a significant shift in policy, potentially exposing previously unreleased information about three of America's most infamous assassinations. This development comes more than six decades after President Kennedy's death, with numerous documents still sealed.
The order gives government officials strict deadlines to formulate release strategies. These timeframes reflect an urgency to address long-standing questions about these pivotal moments in American history.
The controversy surrounding the declassification highlights the delicate balance between historical transparency and national security concerns. It also demonstrates the ongoing influence of the Kennedy family in American political discourse.
The situation has created an unusual alignment of perspectives, with different branches of the Kennedy family taking opposing positions on the declassification's merit and timing.
Former President Trump's executive order to declassify assassination files related to JFK, RFK, and MLK Jr. has sparked significant controversy, particularly from John F. Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg. The order requires officials to present release plans within 15 days for JFK files and 45 days for RFK and MLK Jr. documents. While Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports the initiative as a step toward transparency, the King family has requested prior review rights, setting the stage for a complex process of historical revelation and political debate.
