One Month Later, Trump's Interim Grade on JFK Files: D Plus
Thirty days after the president's bold order, only slight progress toward full JFK disclosure
One month ago, President Trump signed Executive Order 14176 calling for “full and complete” disclosure of JFK assassination records. “Everything will be revealed,” he pledged.
This welcome proclamation deserves fullest implementation. How’s the president doing so far?
To assess Trump’s order, JFK Facts and researchers associated with the Mary Ferrell Foundation (host of the largest online archive of JFK assassination documents) offered an objective measure of effectiveness:
the release of 17 assassination-related records known to be in the possession of the government agency (or the Kennedy family) whose public release will enhance public understanding of the causes of JFK’s assassination on November 22, 1963.
So far, the Trump administration has not released any of the 17 documents, though some progress has been made on release of several of them. Most significantly, the FBI found 2,400 assassination-related records, comprising some 14,000 pages of material. These FBI documents have been added to Trump’s JFK report card.
How We Grade
A when the JFK record/file is fully released. (4 points)
B when the record/file is designated as a JFK record and prepared for release. (3 points)
C when record/file is identified as “assassination-related.” (2 points)
D when the record/file is subject of any other official attention. (1 point)
F when the record/file remains redacted or otherwise unavailable to the citizenry. (0 points)
What Trump Has Done
The New FBI Files: Bureau sent the newly discovered 2,400 assassination-related records to National Archives, which is preparing them for release. This is welcome compliance with the 1992 JFK Records Act and with Trump’s order.
Grade: B (3 points)
Significance: Voluminous cache will shed new light on top-secret CIA-FBI counterintelligence operations involving Lee Harvey Oswald in the summer and fall of 1963.
George Joannides File: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna asked the CIA for a list of assassination-related records in its possession. The Joannides file is held by the CIA. This is a necessary first step under Trump’s order.
Grade: B (3 points)
Significance: Secret operational activities of an undercover officer involved in the surveillance of Oswald and the stonewalling of Congress.
Arthur Schlesinger Memo: Still redacted.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: The origins of JFK’s mistrust of the CIA which lasted the rest of his presidency.
James Angleton Testimony: Still redacted.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: Secret arrangements of the CIA spymaster who kept Oswald under surveillance from 1959 to 1963.
CI Ops in Mexico: Still redacted.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: Notes on two CIA surveillance operations that later picked up on Oswald’s contacts with Cuban and Russian officials.
AMWORLD Files: Still redacted.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: Records of anti-Castro paramilitary operation run by CIA officers who also monitored Oswald.
Miami JFK Investigation: Still missing.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: CIA station in Miami investigated anti-Castro Cubans in connection with JFK’s assassination and never shared their findings.
Paramilitary Name and Phone List: Still redacted.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: CIA roster of paramilitary operatives investigated for possible role in JFK’s assassination.
Herminio Diaz Garcia File: Still redacted.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: CIA file on a Cuban assassin whose associates believed was involved in JFK’s assassination.
Bill Harvey Travel Records: Still withheld.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: Did CIA assassination chief travel to Dallas in late 1963?
Original Orville Nix Film: Still missing.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: An original motion picture that captured Kennedy’s assassination.
JFK Whistleblower Report: Still missing. Rep. Luna said the House Task Force on secrets would hear from JFK whistleblowers. An encouraging good sign.
Grade: C (2 points)
Significance: A JFK whistleblower told JFK Facts that he saw an explosive unreleased JFK document and visited a JFK archive in a CIA building.
Carlos Marcello File: Still missing.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: FBI file on organized crime boss that was not shared with JFK investigators.
Carlos Marcello Tapes: Still missing.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: Wiretap recordings of organized crime boss whose associates talked about assassinating JFK.
Infiltration of Miami Media: Still redacted.
Grade: F (0 points)
Significance: CIA influence over JFK news coverage.
Jackie and Robert Kennedy Interviews: Still missing. In a private collection. Robert Kennedy Jr., strong advocate of full JFK disclosure, is confirmed as HHS Secretary.
Grade: D (1 point)
[For more background on Trump’s JFK report card, see
Interim Grade
We give 4 points for an A, 3 for B, 2 for a C, 1 for D, and 0 for an F
So far, the Trump administration has earned nine points on the 17 documents/files, an average of 1.88. points per JFK record or file, meaning an average of D Plus.
By this objective measure, the president has a long way to go to make good on the laudable goals of EO 14176, though some areas of progress are noted.
JFK Facts will be issuing the JFK report card on a weekly basis.
Stay tuned.
last night, Pam Bondi said she had JFK files on her desk to review.
we cant really assign a grade on the Manchester tapes since President does not have authority under JFK Act to overide the deed of gift conditions. we need statutory amendment like Schweikert bill.