JFK Files: A Whole Lotta Paper, Not So Many Answers
Okay, so March 19th, 2025, was a pretty big day for history buffs and conspiracy theorists alike. Thousands of previously secret documents about JFK's assassination were finally released. We're talking around 80,000 pages – enough paper to build a small pyramid, honestly. The National Archives, after decades of promising it, finally made these files available. And let me tell you, the internet went wild.
Experts Weigh In (or Don't)
The Trump administration, naturally, called it a huge win for transparency. But the experts? Not so much. Gerald Posner, author of "Case Closed," basically told NBC News that there wasn't going to be any earth-shattering revelations. He and Tom Samulok, a former deputy director of the Assassination Records Review Board, echoed a sentiment that many have had for decades: The files released in the 90s didn't overturn the Warren Commission's conclusion of a lone gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald, and these probably wouldn't either. It felt a little…anticlimactic.
The Public Remains Unsatisfied
Despite the experts' rather underwhelming response, the public's fascination with JFK's death is still incredibly strong. A 2023 Gallup poll showed that a whopping 65% of Americans don't believe the Warren Commission's findings. So, yeah, the conspiracy theories are still churning. This constant interest makes these new files significant, even if they don’t contain any smoking guns. We're talking 63,000 pages (initially uploaded, at least) – enough to keep researchers busy for years, I'd bet.
What Now? The Long Road Ahead
This release is a big step toward transparency, sure. But it's not the end. There are still documents being held back. Historians and amateur detectives (and everyone in between) will be poring over these papers, looking for anything that might offer a new perspective, a tiny overlooked detail, a glimmer of something…different. The quest for answers, driven by unanswered questions and lingering public doubt, will continue. It's a story that refuses to stay closed.
It's easy to feel a little let down. We all crave definitive answers, especially when it comes to something as monumental as this. But the release of these documents isn't necessarily about finding a conclusive answer, it's about access. It’s about the public's right to know. And that, in itself, is a pretty big deal. While we may not have all the answers today, the ongoing investigation, fueled by the public's persistent interest, continues.
