Fact Check: The FBI killed MLK

Fact Check: "The FBI killed MLK"

What We Know

The claim that the FBI was involved in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) is rooted in various conspiracy theories that have emerged over the years. The most notable allegations come from Loyd Jowers, a former tavern owner, and Donald Wilson, a former FBI agent. Jowers claimed in 1993 that he was part of a conspiracy to kill King, alleging that he hired an assassin with Mafia connections, while Wilson alleged that he had evidence suggesting a broader conspiracy involving the FBI and other parties (Overview of Investigation).

However, extensive investigations, including a 1977 Department of Justice Task Force, found "no evidence of the complicity of the Memphis Police Department or the FBI" in King's assassination (Overview of Investigation). The official narrative maintains that James Earl Ray, who pleaded guilty to the murder, acted alone. Ray himself consistently claimed he was framed and implicated a mysterious figure named "Raoul" in the conspiracy, but no credible evidence has substantiated these claims (Overview of Investigation).

The FBI had indeed monitored King due to his civil rights activities and perceived associations with Communists, but this surveillance was part of a broader counterintelligence program (COINTELPRO) aimed at discrediting him, not orchestrating his assassination (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)).

Analysis

The allegations that the FBI was involved in King's assassination lack credible evidence. Investigations into the claims made by Jowers and Wilson have been thorough, involving interviews, scientific testing, and reviews of extensive documentation. The findings concluded that both Jowers and Wilson's accounts were not credible and contradicted by substantial evidence (Overview of Investigation).

Jowers, for example, changed his story multiple times and failed to provide consistent details under oath. His claims were characterized as unreliable, with investigators finding no corroborating physical evidence to support his narrative (Overview of Investigation). Similarly, Wilson's assertions about documents he allegedly concealed have not been substantiated by any credible evidence (Overview of Investigation).

While the FBI's actions during the civil rights movement were indeed controversial and often hostile towards King, this does not equate to involvement in his assassination. The FBI's surveillance and attempts to discredit King were part of a broader strategy against civil rights leaders, reflecting the agency's political motivations rather than a direct role in murder (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)).

Moreover, the extensive investigations conducted by various bodies, including the FBI itself, have consistently upheld the conclusion that James Earl Ray acted alone in the assassination (Overview of Investigation, Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.).

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that the FBI killed Martin Luther King Jr. is not supported by credible evidence. Investigations have consistently found that James Earl Ray acted alone in the assassination, and the allegations of FBI involvement stem from unreliable sources and conspiracy theories that lack substantiation. The FBI's historical surveillance of King, while ethically questionable, does not imply complicity in his murder.

Fact Check: The FBI killed MLK