Trump administration releases files on Martin Luther King Jr

July 21, 2025

The Biden administration has released 230,000 pages of previously classified documents related to Martin Luther King Jr. 's assassination, which had been sealed since 1977. This release occurred despite opposition from King's two living children, Martin III and Bernice, who expressed concerns about potential misuse of the documents to undermine their father's legacy.

Who is affected

Martin Luther King Jr.'s family, particularly his two living children (Martin III and Bernice)
The American public who now has access to these historical documents
Civil rights advocates and historians studying King's legacy
Those who believe in conspiracy theories about King's assassination

What action is being taken

The Biden administration is releasing 230,000 pages of previously classified documents related to King's assassination
The release is being coordinated across multiple agencies including the FBI, Department of Justice, National Archives and CIA
Government officials are framing the release as providing transparency about a significant historical event
King's family is responding publicly, asking for empathy and respect regarding the released materials

Why it matters

The documents reveal details about the FBI's controversial surveillance of King and the investigation into his murder
The release provides insight into what the government knew about King's assassination and James Earl Ray
It touches on longstanding claims of a conspiracy in King's death, as referenced by King's family citing a 1999 civil lawsuit verdict
The release occurs amid political tensions, with critics viewing it as an attempt to distract from other controversies

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC