Gabbard Releases More Than 243,000 Pages of Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Files

Documents revealed investigative methods and potential leads, although redactions are found throughout the files.

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (C) waves to supporters on the Mall in Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON—More than 243,000 pages of files related to the 1968 killing of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. were declassified and released on July 21 by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

The release follows President Donald Trump’s January executive order mandating the release of documents, long sealed by intelligence agencies, related to the assassinations of King, President John F. Kennedy, and his brother, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

Records about the other two killings were released earlier this year.

“The American people have waited nearly 60 years to see the full scope of the federal government’s investigation into Dr. King’s assassination,” Gabbard said in a statement.

“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.”

Relatives of the civil rights leader were given two weeks to review the information before it was released, according to a statement from the National Archives.

King’s niece expressed gratitude to the president and Attorney General Pam Bondi for the roles they played in securing the release.

“My uncle lived boldly in pursuit of truth and justice, and his enduring legacy of faith continues to inspire Americans to this day,” Alveda King, a former member of Georgia House of Representatives, said in a statement.

“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.”

Included in the trove of documents are details about the FBI’s look into King’s murder, highlighting potential leads, investigative progress, and interviews with witnesses.

Thousands of memos, internal communications, and photographs are listed online at the National Archives website.

The Epoch Times is reviewing the 6,301 files released on July 21.

Redactions are sprinkled throughout the documents, preventing researchers from uncovering certain details in dozens of documents that originated from the FBI and the CIA, among other organizations.

Newly released CIA files reveal the agency’s efforts to track James Earl Ray, who was convicted of killing King, overseas as he fled authorities.

“In partnership with [the Office of the Director of National Intelligence] and FBI, today’s release represents a significant milestone in CIA’s efforts to deliver maximum transparency to the American people,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement.

“CIA is proud to contribute to President Trump’s historic initiative to declassify and release intelligence information that serves the public’s interest.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also the nation’s acting archivist, said that the National Archives processed the records “at an unprecedented speed.”

“Today’s record release marks a historic step in the Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability,” he said in a statement.

“Preserving, protecting, and releasing the records of the U.S. government is at the core of NARA’s mission.”

Archivists are working to identify other files across agencies and will continue to upload documents as they become available, according to the agency’s website.