Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) issued a statement praising President Donald Trump's decision to release the remaining classified files surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, saying, "This moment symbolizes the long-awaited restoration of the people's trust in the federal government."
In January, Rep. Schweikert introduced the Justice for Kennedy Act, demanding the declassification of the files surrounding the 1963 assassination that has been conspiracy theory fuel for many years.
As he previously explained, the files were to be released in 2017. Still, the deadline was not obeyed because the CIA, FBI, and other agencies said the remaining files contained the names of still-living informants and assets from the period and the locations of safe houses still in use.
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Nevertheless, Rep. Schweikert and the bill's cosponsors, Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Steve Cohen (R-TN), each stated the release of the JFK files on March 18th.
"It's been 61 years since the tragic murder of President John F. Kennedy. A truly functioning republic ensures Americans have access to information, and this moment symbolizes the long-awaited restoration of the people's trust in the federal government. I applaud the Trump Administration for following suit with our Justice for Kennedy Act and requiring all assassination records be unclassified and unredacted," said the Arizona Congressman.
Similarly, Rep. Burchett added, "I am happy that after decades of questions from the public and government cover-ups that the American people finally may have answers to the JFK assassination. President Trump is once again showing his commitment to having the most transparent administration this country has ever seen."
"It's too soon to know whether there's much in the documents released today, but it is a good sign that some progress toward the goal of full disclosure is underway. The assassinations of the 1960s need to be understood in their full historical context, and the documents being released may help us get there," said Rep. Cohen.
So, what is in the previously redacted files so far?
USA Today suggested that what is currently uncovered does not seem to dispute the idea that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, while ABC News reported that more files related to monitoring Oswald have been exposed.
