One of the biggest mysteries of the last 50 years has been the events surrounding the death of former President John F. Kennedy. While many have wondered what the forces were behind the shooting of JFK, Donald Trump plans to allow the release of secret documents pertaining to the case that have been hidden of decades.
Trump on JFK
On the morning of November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, rode in the back of a 1961 Lincoln Continental as they made their way through a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. With the roof down, the president and first lady waved to hundreds who took to the streets to see the first couple.
However, shots were fired from high above, which struck Kennedy, as well as Texas Governor John Connally who was riding in front of him. Kennedy was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after. The events have that day have long been questioned by historians, with many challenging the results of the Warren Commission, which was put together in Congress to investigate the shooting and concluded that the Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman. Fast forward to 1992 when Congress mandated that secret documents detailing classified information about the assassination should be made public 25 years later, with the expiration dating coming up this Thursday. As seen on his Twitter account on October 21, Donald Trump announced that he will allow the documents to be made public.
Subject to the receipt of further information, I will be allowing, as President, the long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 21, 2017
Taking to his Twitter account on Saturday morning, Donald Trump made a surprising move by announcing he will allow the release of the John F.
Kennedy assassination documents. "Subject to the receipt of further information, I will be allowing, as President, the long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened," Trump tweeted out. According to Politico, Trump was under pressure from the CIA to block the release of the documents, but decided to move forward.
Trump was under pressure from CIA to block release of some JFK assassination documents on national security grounds https://t.co/alWDvfC7mv pic.twitter.com/8udL3341iT
— POLITICO (@politico) October 21, 2017
The reaction to the news was one of surprise, with those who believe Lee Harvey Oswald was the shooter becoming hopeful that the documents can back up the theory.
In opposition, the side that doubts the lone gunman theory hoping that the information will point in another direction.
Twitter reacts
Not long after Donald Trump tweeted about the John F. Kennedy documents, critics on social media were quick to fire back and accuse the president of a distraction. "Can you also open up the UFO files, so we can finally see that our country is being run by a leader from a competing galaxy?" one tweet read.
You're going to release documents that were mandated by the 92 JFK Records act to be released by Oct 26 2017?!
— Sara Bonaccorsi (@SNBonaccorsi) October 21, 2017
What would we do without you?
There are reasons why the JFK files have been closed. I hope opening them isn't like setting off a ticking time bomb.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) October 21, 2017
"This JFK Files thing is quite literally the textbook definition of a distraction.
Trump is a caricature of a corrupt, Nixonian President," Eugene Gu tweeted. "This is yet another distraction, he's hoping we will forget what he said to military families and Russia investigation. Not working," another tweet added.
What is next? Is he going to give us a TV tour of Area 51? Will he declare the existence of aliens over the facts of Russian collusion?
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) October 21, 2017
This is yet another distraction, he's hoping we will forget what he said to military families and Russia investigation. Not working.
— PORP (@TheOfficialPORP) October 21, 2017
This would have been done any way you dooofus. You can't claim this as an accomplishment of your miserable presidency..
— Kathy Cancel (@katc704) October 21, 2017
"You're going to release documents that were mandated by the 92 JFK Records act to be released by Oct 26 2017?! What would we do without you?" an additional tweet read sarcastically. As the backlash continued, those who oppose Donald Trump showed they weren't impressed with the president's latest announcement.
