The long-awaited declassified files, now added to the US National Archives JFK Assassination Records, have given historians and journalists a chance to find new insights into the president's murder in November 1963.
However, last minute lobbying by US intelligence has meant several hundred files being withheld, pending a 180-day review to determine whether they should ever be released. That news has led to a backlash on social media, with historians, journalists, and ordinary Americans urging Trump to release the rest of the files.
Larry Sabato, American political scientist and Kennedy expert, condemned Trump for backtracking on his earlier promises to release all the files, adding that Americans could end up waiting a long time to "see the good stuff."
54 yrs since #JFK assassination, 25 yrs since mandated release TODAY, and we’ll have to wait another 6 months to MAYBE see the good stuff.
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) 26 октября 2017 г.
From left to right, Ds, Rs, & Inds are very unhappy w/ tonight’s #JFKfiles withhold. And people said Americans would never be united again.
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) 26 октября 2017 г.
A favorite JFK quote: "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.'
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) 12 августа 2017 г.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange also marked his concern, saying US intelligence agencies seemed determined to make Trump look weak by delaying the files, and adding that after so much time the delay was simply "inexcusable."
The agencies have had literally 25 years to prepare for the scheduled release today. The delay is inexcusable. @realDonaldTrump
— Julian Assange 🔹 (@JulianAssange) 26 октября 2017 г.
Mark Zaid, a US attorney known for his work in helping whistleblowers, complained about how "sparse" Thursday's release was, and made sarcastic comments about some of the docs' illegibility and heavy redaction. His feelings were echoed by others.
(5) Holy cow, I can't believe they let this doc get out but it is still illegally redacted!!! The smoking gun is there!!!! @geraldposner pic.twitter.com/SLugGw3mf4
— Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) 27 октября 2017 г.
(7) What strikes me most is how SPARSE this release is. The GOOD stuff has absolutely been withheld as part of 180 day review. Grrr.
— Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) 27 октября 2017 г.
Wow. Some explosive stuff in these newly released JFK documents#JFKFiles pic.twitter.com/Zv86BEjb2j
— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) 26 октября 2017 г.
Some users focused on just how important the JFK killing was to America, and hence the need to out the truth about his death.
For those too young to remember, trust me: who killed Kennedy is indeed a big deal. A nation, like an individual, is as sick as its secrets.
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) 26 октября 2017 г.
What could possibly be the reason to withhold from the American people any of the files about Kennedy assassination after all these years?
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) 27 октября 2017 г.
Some of the JFK Files are being held back for review? By whom? Why can't the American people review them? We've waited 54 years.
2,800 JFK
— Cari Kelemen 🇺🇸 (@KelemenCari) 26 октября 2017 г.
As expected, the delay and possible non-release of the 300 files prompted concerns from those who believe that the CIA, the FBI or other elements of the US government were somehow involved in Kennedy's death. Some angrily claimed that President Trump seems to have bowed to the interests of a "deep state cover-up."
Deep State Cover Up- @SebGorka: FBI & CIA blockage of JFK documents “stinks to high heaven.” #MAGA #TrumpTrain #Dobbs pic.twitter.com/S5GNBmmytW
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) 26 октября 2017 г.
The CIA wants to redact 1% of of the documents, roughly 118 pages. They want to redact names, etc. The Cover Up is REAL America! #JFK
— Matt Couch 🔸 (@RealMattCouch) 27 октября 2017 г.
Last paragraph, page 3, multiple shooters. Conspiracy theorists right again. Imagine what they WON'T show us. #JFKhttps://t.co/ptPmM0jBFv pic.twitter.com/d2FStLwSxm
— J Owen Shroyer (@allidoisowen) 27 октября 2017 г.
#JFK talks about secret societies wielding undue influence before having his brains blown out. Not suspicious at all #JFKDocuments
— Rational Gent (@RationalGent) 27 октября 2017 г.
The redactions and withheld documents prompted even some non-conspiracy theorists to come to the conclusion that maybe the government really does have something to hide.
Really annoying that stories on the JFK files are framed around "conspiracy theorists." How about this info shouldn't be secret for 50 yrs? pic.twitter.com/SIMDXr28kA
— Trevor Timm (@trevortimm) 26 октября 2017 г.
Perhaps the most popular sentiment expressed thus far is the demand that the government release all the files, in full, non-redacted, and stop making excuses.
2,800 JFK files will be released tonight but why not all? We already don't trust govt why give us more reason not to? We deserve the truth.
— Garrett Giusto (@garrett_giusto) 26 октября 2017 г.
Something that happened 54 years ago is still a national security issue? Release ALL the original files. #JFKFiles #NonRedacted 2,800 JFK
— 🦃🐾Reyna🐾🦃 (@JustABoxerMom) 26 октября 2017 г.
President Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963 has been the source of considerable debate. While the US government maintains that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, a variety of conspiracies have sprouted over the decades thanks to inconsistencies in the original investigation's conclusions. Among the theories, none of them ever officially verified, is the claim that the CIA, the FBI or other elements of the US government were behind JFK's murder. This version was popularized in the 1991 Oliver Stone film JFK. The mafia, Fidel Castro, and other actors and groups have also been accused over the years.
