Fact Check: "More than 10,000 pages of records pertaining to RFK’s assassination were released in April."
What We Know
In April 2025, approximately 10,000 pages of records related to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy were indeed released. This release was part of an ongoing effort to declassify documents concerning high-profile assassinations, including those of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as mandated by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 23, 2025 (AP News). The documents included various materials, such as handwritten notes by the assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, who expressed a desire to kill Kennedy, and interviews with individuals who knew him (AP News, CBS News).
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) confirmed that these records had been previously held but not made publicly accessible, and they were made available as part of a rolling release process (National Archives). The specific release on April 18, 2025, included 229 files, which were made available to the public for the first time (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that more than 10,000 pages of records related to RFK's assassination were released in April is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press, a reputable news organization, reported the release and provided details about the contents of the documents, including significant findings like Sirhan's notes (AP News). The National Archives also corroborated this information, detailing the ongoing process of declassifying and releasing records related to RFK's assassination (National Archives).
The reliability of these sources is strong; the Associated Press is known for its journalistic integrity and thorough fact-checking processes. The National Archives serves as the official repository for U.S. government records, ensuring that the information they provide is accurate and authoritative.
While some documents were previously available, the April release included many that had not been digitized or publicly accessible before, which adds weight to the claim that this was a significant release of new information (AP News, CBS News).
Critics of the release have pointed out that some documents still contained redactions, which is a common practice in government document releases to protect sensitive information (AP News). However, this does not detract from the overall validity of the claim regarding the volume of pages released.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that more than 10,000 pages of records pertaining to RFK’s assassination were released in April is accurate. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that this substantial release occurred as part of a broader initiative to declassify historical documents related to significant assassinations in American history.
Sources
- 10,000 pages of records about Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 assassination ...
- Records Related to the Assassination of Senator Robert F. ...
- Director Gabbard and Secretary Kennedy Statement on ...
- RFK met with CIA after trip to Soviet Union, declassified files show
- 10,000 pages of RFK assassination files released by Trump ...
- Ten thousand pages of Robert F Kennedy assassination records released
- The Biggest Revelations in the Declassified JFK Assassination Files
- CIA releases 54 declassified documents related to RFK assassination