What the CIA didn’t want you to know: Unveiling the secrets in the newly released JFK files
- Replies 0
For nearly six decades, the mystery surrounding President John F. Kennedy’s assassination has gripped the American public.
Countless theories, debates, and investigations have attempted to piece together the full story, but many questions remain unanswered.
Now, with the recent release of previously classified documents by the US National Archives, curiosity is reignited.
Could these files finally bring us closer to the truth, or will they only deepen the mystery?
At The GrayVine, we’re diving into these newly declassified records to uncover what they reveal.
We’re also exploring what they reveal—and what they don’t— about one of the most debated moments in American history.
The latest batch of declassified files, around 2,200 documents, is part of an extensive collection exceeding 6 million pages of records, photographs, and intelligence reports tied to the assassination.
While combing through all of them is no small feat, early findings offer intriguing glimpses into the CIA’s covert operations during the Cold War, particularly regarding Cuba.
An initial review of over 63,000 pages by the Associated Press has yet to uncover definitive evidence supporting the conspiracy theories that have circulated for decades.
The files do not contradict the official finding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone on November 22, 1963.
Still, historians and researchers remain hopeful that these records may provide fresh insights into Oswald’s activities before the assassination and what US intelligence agencies knew about him.
Author Philip Shenon, who has extensively studied the case, points to Oswald’s mysterious trip to Mexico City just weeks before Kennedy’s death—an event that has long fueled speculation about his possible connections and motives.
Records indicate that Oswald planned to reach out to the Soviet Union’s embassy after having lived as a US defector in the USSR from October 1959 to June 1962.
Shenon suggested that the US government might have withheld details about what it knew of Oswald before the assassination to conceal what he referred to as officials’ potential “incompetence and laziness.”
Shenon noted that “the CIA had Oswald under pretty aggressive surveillance while he was there, and this was just several weeks before the assassination.” He added, “There’s reason to believe he talked openly about killing Kennedy in Mexico City and that people overheard him say that.”
For decades, speculation about these details has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, including claims of multiple shooters and possible involvement by the Soviet Union, the mafia, and the CIA.
The release of these documents follows an executive order by President Donald Trump and represents a step toward greater transparency.
However, the Kennedy family was reportedly not informed beforehand, drawing criticism from JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg.
The declassification process also sheds light on the issue of excessive government secrecy.
Jefferson Morley, of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, has noted that much of the newly available information was previously classified despite being of little consequence—highlighting the problem of overclassification.
Source: X / @JBKSchlossberg.
For Cold War historians, these files are a treasure trove.
Columbia University adjunct professor Timothy Naftali has expressed excitement over the newly revealed details of US intelligence activities during Kennedy’s presidency.
Among the notable findings: previously redacted information about the CIA’s contacts regarding Oswald in Mexico, as well as details about the Mexican government’s intelligence operations inside the Cuban embassy.
The documents also provide a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the CIA, including communications between the agency’s leadership and field operatives in Cuba immediately after Kennedy’s assassination.
Despite the wealth of new information, the central mystery remains.
The files do not provide a conclusive answer as to whether Oswald had accomplices or if a larger conspiracy was at play.
While these newly released files offer intriguing insights, the full truth behind JFK’s assassination remains elusive. At The GrayVine, we continue to explore history’s most debated moments, shedding light on the facts while acknowledging the mysteries that remain.
As experts continue to sift through the records, The GrayVine invites you to join the discussion. Do you think these files bring us closer to the truth, or do they leave more questions than answers? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your insights and theories in the comments below, and let’s explore this historic puzzle together.
Countless theories, debates, and investigations have attempted to piece together the full story, but many questions remain unanswered.
Now, with the recent release of previously classified documents by the US National Archives, curiosity is reignited.
Could these files finally bring us closer to the truth, or will they only deepen the mystery?
At The GrayVine, we’re diving into these newly declassified records to uncover what they reveal.
We’re also exploring what they reveal—and what they don’t— about one of the most debated moments in American history.
President John F. Kennedy, a leader whose legacy continues to spark debate and intrigue. Image Source: YouTube / LiveNOW from FOX.
A Treasure Trove of Cold War Secrets
The latest batch of declassified files, around 2,200 documents, is part of an extensive collection exceeding 6 million pages of records, photographs, and intelligence reports tied to the assassination.
While combing through all of them is no small feat, early findings offer intriguing glimpses into the CIA’s covert operations during the Cold War, particularly regarding Cuba.
An initial review of over 63,000 pages by the Associated Press has yet to uncover definitive evidence supporting the conspiracy theories that have circulated for decades.
The files do not contradict the official finding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone on November 22, 1963.
Still, historians and researchers remain hopeful that these records may provide fresh insights into Oswald’s activities before the assassination and what US intelligence agencies knew about him.
Author Philip Shenon, who has extensively studied the case, points to Oswald’s mysterious trip to Mexico City just weeks before Kennedy’s death—an event that has long fueled speculation about his possible connections and motives.
Also read: Trump orders release of more JFK Files: Will long-held secrets be unveiled?
Records indicate that Oswald planned to reach out to the Soviet Union’s embassy after having lived as a US defector in the USSR from October 1959 to June 1962.
Shenon suggested that the US government might have withheld details about what it knew of Oswald before the assassination to conceal what he referred to as officials’ potential “incompetence and laziness.”
Shenon noted that “the CIA had Oswald under pretty aggressive surveillance while he was there, and this was just several weeks before the assassination.” He added, “There’s reason to believe he talked openly about killing Kennedy in Mexico City and that people overheard him say that.”
For decades, speculation about these details has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, including claims of multiple shooters and possible involvement by the Soviet Union, the mafia, and the CIA.
Also read: Ethel Kennedy’s Passing: The End of an Era for Human Rights Advocacy
The Complexity of Transparency
The release of these documents follows an executive order by President Donald Trump and represents a step toward greater transparency.
However, the Kennedy family was reportedly not informed beforehand, drawing criticism from JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg.
The declassification process also sheds light on the issue of excessive government secrecy.
Jefferson Morley, of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, has noted that much of the newly available information was previously classified despite being of little consequence—highlighting the problem of overclassification.
Source: X / @JBKSchlossberg.
Also read: JFK's undies sold for a shocking amount—and Mark Zuckerberg's hoodie went for even more!
Cold War Historians Rejoice
For Cold War historians, these files are a treasure trove.
Columbia University adjunct professor Timothy Naftali has expressed excitement over the newly revealed details of US intelligence activities during Kennedy’s presidency.
Among the notable findings: previously redacted information about the CIA’s contacts regarding Oswald in Mexico, as well as details about the Mexican government’s intelligence operations inside the Cuban embassy.
The documents also provide a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the CIA, including communications between the agency’s leadership and field operatives in Cuba immediately after Kennedy’s assassination.
Despite the wealth of new information, the central mystery remains.
The files do not provide a conclusive answer as to whether Oswald had accomplices or if a larger conspiracy was at play.
While these newly released files offer intriguing insights, the full truth behind JFK’s assassination remains elusive. At The GrayVine, we continue to explore history’s most debated moments, shedding light on the facts while acknowledging the mysteries that remain.
Read next: Trump prosecutor Jack Smith unexpectedly exits from the Justice Department
As experts continue to sift through the records, The GrayVine invites you to join the discussion. Do you think these files bring us closer to the truth, or do they leave more questions than answers? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your insights and theories in the comments below, and let’s explore this historic puzzle together.
