2,800 JFK assassination files released

International Desk: U.S. President Trump ordered the release of 2,800 records related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy Thursday night, although some redacted records are being withheld.

On Thursday night, Mr. Trump issued a memo directing the heads of executive departments and agencies to release the documents, save some redacted documents undergoing a further, six-month review. The records being released Thursday are records that are being released in full.

"The American public expects -- and deserves -- its government to provide as much access as possible to the President John F. Kennedy assassination records (records) so that the people may finally be fully informed about all aspects of this pivotal event," Mr. Trump's memo said. "Therefore, I am ordering today that the veil finally be lifted. At the same time, executive departments and agencies (agencies) have proposed to me that certain information should continue to be redacted because of national security, law enforcement, and foreign affairs concerns. I have no choice --today -- but to accept those redactions rather than allow potentially irreversible harm to our nation's security."

There was lobbying from various federal agencies, including the CIA and the FBI, asking Mr. Trump to wait on releasing some of the JFK documents, as CBS has reported. Some of those requests were registered a couple months ago, while others were made more recently. Multiple officials at multiple agencies have told CBS News there is concern the documents might reveal sources and operations from the near past relating to current people or operations.

It's possible that some records may remain secret even after that 180-day review period, although the president is urging that only the most secret documents remain so.

A spokesperson for the CIA said the agency welcomes the president's directive to further review the records to identify any additional information that can be released. The spokesman said every single one of the remaining roughly 18,000 CIA records will ultimately be released, with no document withheld in full. The CIA wants to protect the identity of CIA assets and current and former CIA officers, as well as intelligence methods and partnerships that are still relevant.

Agencies



risingbd/Dhaka/Oct 27, 2017/Nasim