Final batch of JFK files released under Trump directive

The last batch of documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released Thursday by the National Archives.

The 19,045 documents — the largest batch to date — represent the final release under a directive from President Trump. 

The federal government hit an Oct. 26, 2017, deadline to release thousands of documents related to the 1963 assassination in compliance with the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992.

Trump actively encouraged the release of the long anticipated files last year to “put any and all conspiracy theories to rest.”

Trump then provided agencies with temporary certification until this Thursday to allow for re-review of all documents withheld to release “as much as possible.”

Ultimately, at the request of the FBI and CIA, Trump blocked the release  of some of the original records. Those records were not part of the final batch released Thursday and may never be released.

The administration released all related JFK documents other than the names and addresses of any mentioned person who is still living. 

“I have no choice today but to accept those redactions rather than allow potentially irreversible harm to our Nation’s security,” Trump said in October.