CIA Documents Reveal Extensive Covert Operations During JFK Presidency

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Archives has released over 63,000 pages of previously classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, uncovering extensive details about CIA covert operations during his presidency. The release follows a directive from former President Donald Trump and occurred on March 19, 2025, marking a significant moment in the ongoing public interest surrounding Kennedy’s assassination.

Among the disclosures is a Top Secret memorandum by White House aide Arthur Schlesinger Jr., dated January 1961, which noted that 47 percent of political officers in U.S. embassies at the time were CIA agents under diplomatic cover. Schlesinger reported that in the U.S. Embassy in Paris, 123 individuals labeled as diplomats were in fact CIA operatives, while in Chile, 11 out of 13 political officers had similar roles.

A significant portion of the newly released documents includes records detailing the CIA’s covert operations in countries such as Cuba and Mexico, particularly in the context of the JFK assassination, which have sparked numerous conspiracy theories over the decades. The bulk of these files were previously withheld or heavily redacted to protect intelligence sources and methods.

The National Security Archive‘s senior analyst, Peter Kornbluh, noted, “There is no doubt that the JFK Records Act has advanced public knowledge of CIA covert operations more than any other declassification in the history of access to information.” He emphasized that without the law, many operational files would have remained classified indefinitely.

The JFK Assassination Records Collection Act, passed by Congress in 1992, came as a response to public concern and media portrayals of the assassination, notably Oliver Stone‘s film “JFK.” This act mandated the review and public release of all records related to the assassination, aiming to improve transparency and restore public confidence in federal institutions.

Though many files have been declassified, researchers like Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, emphasize that much work remains to analyze the new materials. “We have a lot of work to do for a long time to come,” stated Sabato. He is among those dedicated to examining the newly available records.

Despite this latest release, critics including Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, expressed disappointment that two-thirds of the originally promised documents were not included. He remarked, “This is the most positive news on the release of JFK files since the 1990s,” highlighting ongoing frustrations with government transparency.

Interest in the details surrounding Kennedy’s assassination continues to captivate the public, with numerous conspiracy theories suggesting involvement by various actors, including the mafia and foreign governments. Kennedy was fatally shot on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, as his motorcade was passing through Dealey Plaza.

The Warren Commission, established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. However, doubts persisted, prompting ongoing scrutiny and interest in the newly released files that might provide further insights into the events surrounding the assassination.

As researchers delve deeper into this newly uncovered treasure trove of documents, many hope for revelations that could illuminate long-standing questions surrounding one of the most significant events in U.S. history.