The National Archives has released over 10,000 pages of documents related to the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. These documents, previously classified, are now available online following a directive from President Donald Trump. The release aims to promote transparency and allow the public to review the federal government's investigation into Kennedy's assassination.

Senator Kennedy was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, shortly after delivering a victory speech for winning California's Democratic presidential primary. Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian, was convicted of first-degree murder for the assassination and is serving a life sentence. Sirhan claimed his actions were in protest of U.S. military support for Israel.

The release of these documents was overseen by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. She stated that the disclosure "shines a long-overdue light on the truth."

The release follows a similar disclosure of files related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which did not substantiate conspiracy theories but provided more details on Cold War-era operations.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the senator's son and current U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, praised President Trump and Gabbard for their efforts. He expressed hope that the release would help restore trust in the government. Despite the release, administration sources indicated that no significant new revelations were expected from the documents.

The release of these records is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to declassify documents related to high-profile assassinations, including those of Martin Luther King Jr. and President Kennedy. The documents related to King's assassination have not yet been released.

Vicki McKenna