Trump releases classified files on JFK assassination: What we know
What's the story
A massive trove of documents concerning the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, who was shot dead in Dallas in November 1963, was released on Tuesday.
The National Archives uploaded over 63,000 pages of documents on its website in two initial tranches, with further files being added as they are digitized.
The vast bulk of the collection of nearly six million pages of data, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings, and artifacts had already been made public.
Ongoing debate
Warren Commission's findings continue to spark debate
Many documents are related to the initial investigation by the Warren Commission in 1964.
The commission, headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was the sole gunman.
This finding has been a subject of debate through the years.
Many Americans believe that Kennedy's assassination was a conspiracy involving the Mafia, the CIA, and disenchanted Cuban exiles.
But so far, nothing in the records has changed the long-held conclusion that Oswald acted alone.
Contextual understanding
New files offer insights into Oswald's background
The newly released files seek to add to the context about Oswald, who was murdered by nightclub owner Jack Ruby two days after shooting Kennedy.
One document labeled "secret" said that in September/October 1963, Oswald had approached the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City seeking a visa to return to the USSR.
Before the assassination, Oswald had been a Marine Corps veteran, who defected to the Soviet Union. "[Valeriy Vladimirovich] Kostikov, as a consular officer, handled this visa."
Intelligence interactions
CIA's interest in Oswald and KGB connections
That paper, written in 1971, stated that Kostikov later worked in Mexico and was "considered by some to be the most effective...dangerous intelligence officers
The CIA had long taken an interest in Kostikov's history as a KGB agent engaged in sabotage and assassination.
However, it eventually concluded that Oswald and Kostikov crossing paths was a mere coincidence.
Castro
Documents by Department of Defense
Department of Defense records from 1963 discussed the Cold War of the early 1960s and the US's participation in Latin America, including attempts to thwart Cuban leader Fidel Castro's support for communist troops in other nations.
The documents suggest Castro would neither initiate a war with the United States or escalate to the point "that would seriously and immediately endanger the Castro regime."
"It appears more likely that Castro might intensify his support of subversive forces in Latin America."
Transparency pledge
Trump administration's commitment to transparency
Prior to Tuesday's release, more than 99 percent of the 320,000 documents assessed under the JFK Records Act had been made public.
The 1992 statute required the publication of all remaining data by October 26, 2017, unless the president concluded that their release would create "identifiable harm" to national defense or other government functions of such gravity as to 'outweigh the public interest in disclosure'."
Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, praised the release as a step toward "maximum transparency."
File release
Trump orders release of remaining JFK files
Three days into his second term, Trump signed an executive order asking officials within 15 days to present him with a plan for releasing the remaining JFK files.
The order also set a timeline for the release of government records related to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. within 45 days.
According to ABC News, Trump's announcement to release the files on Tuesday resulted in an all-night rush at the Justice Department.