Tulsi Gabbard Makes Thousands Of MLK Files Public
More than 230,000 previously classified files related to the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been released following a directive by President Donald Trump. The announcement was made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, marking a major step toward government transparency on one of the most scrutinized events in American history.
“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. She credited Trump’s leadership for driving the declassification effort and thanked the King family for their cooperation.
The release is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to declassify files related to the assassinations of Dr. King, President John F. Kennedy, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The files contain previously unreleased FBI investigation records, including internal memos, leads pursued by federal agents, and information on James Earl Ray’s time in prison. One document highlights a statement by Ray’s former cellmate, who claimed to have discussed an assassination plot with Ray.
Statement from the King Family on the Release of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Assassination Files:
“We recognize that the release of documents concerning the assassination of our father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has long been a subject of interest, captivating public…
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) July 21, 2025
Also included are documents from Canadian authorities concerning Ray’s attempted escape across the border after King’s murder.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the significance of the release, stating, “The American people deserve answers decades after the horrific assassination of one of our nation’s great leaders.”
She reaffirmed the Department of Justice’s commitment to support the transparency effort led by Gabbard and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Despite the scope of the disclosure, the King family urged caution. In a joint statement, Bernice King and Martin Luther King III acknowledged public interest in the files but emphasized the personal loss they continue to feel. They asked the public to approach the documents with “empathy, restraint, and respect.”
Gabbard previously stated in April that over 100 personnel had been working continuously to digitize documents that had remained unexamined for decades. During a cabinet meeting earlier this year, she informed Trump that many of the documents had never been scanned or viewed since their original classification.