Fact Check: The CIA's first search of its records turned up no information about Sirhan.

Fact Check: "The CIA's first search of its records turned up no information about Sirhan."

What We Know

The claim that "The CIA's first search of its records turned up no information about Sirhan" is contradicted by multiple documents released by the CIA. Notably, the Psychological Profile Report on Sirhan indicates that the CIA had conducted assessments and maintained records related to Sirhan Sirhan, who was convicted for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Additionally, the Personality Assessment of Sirhan Sirhan further confirms that the CIA had relevant information about him, which challenges the assertion that no information was found in their initial search.

Moreover, the CIA's Sirhan Sirhan Investigation states that Sirhan had not been of interest to the Agency prior to the assassination, but this does not imply a complete absence of records. The recent release of over 60,000 documents related to the assassination, as noted in a press release from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, includes previously undisclosed information about Sirhan, further undermining the claim that the CIA found no records on him during their first search (DNI Gabbard Releases More Than 60000 Additional).

Analysis

The evidence presented in the CIA documents indicates that there was indeed information about Sirhan Sirhan in their records. The Psychological Profile Report and the Personality Assessment are both credible sources, as they originate from the CIA's own archives and have been released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These documents provide insights into the CIA's assessments of Sirhan, demonstrating that he was not a completely unknown figure to the Agency.

The claim's reliability hinges on the interpretation of what constitutes "information." While it is true that Sirhan may not have been a person of interest before the assassination, the existence of psychological profiles and assessments indicates that the CIA had conducted some level of inquiry into his background. The assertion that the CIA's first search yielded no information appears to be a misinterpretation or oversimplification of the Agency's records.

Furthermore, the context of the recent document releases, including the DNI Gabbard's announcement, suggests that the CIA has been actively reviewing and declassifying records related to the assassination, which would likely include information about Sirhan. This ongoing process further supports the notion that the CIA had, at some point, relevant information about him.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that "The CIA's first search of its records turned up no information about Sirhan" is false. The existence of multiple documents related to Sirhan Sirhan, including psychological profiles and assessments, indicates that the CIA did indeed have information about him. The misinterpretation of the CIA's interest in Sirhan prior to the assassination does not negate the presence of records concerning him.

Sources

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE REPORT ON SIRHAN - FOIA
2. PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT OF SIRHAN SIRHAN
3. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE REPORT ON SIRHAN WITH HANDWRITTEN NOTE
4. SIRHAN SIRHAN INVESTIGATION | CIA FOIA
5. DNI Gabbard Releases More Than 60000 Additional
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