The CIA has declassified and released 1,450 additional pages tied to the 1968 assassination of Robert F Kennedy, including 54 documents that were previously classified. Among the new material is a psychological profile of Sirhan Sirhan, the Palestinian-born Jordanian convicted of Kennedy’s murder, as well as his handwritten notes, one ominously reading, “Kennedy must fall” and “tonight, tonight.”The fresh cache may offer new insight into Sirhan’s motivations, family background, and international links, though the CIA stressed he was not tied to any terrorist organisation. The documents also detail RFK’s 1955 visit to the Soviet Union with then-Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, during which Kennedy reportedly acted as a voluntary informant for the CIA.A CIA official described Kennedy’s cooperation as reflective of his “patriotism and commitment to serving his country,” especially during the height of Cold War tensions when the USSR was America’s top geopolitical rival.
The release is part of an ongoing transparency effort. “Today’s release delivers on President Trump’s commitment to maximum transparency,” said CIA Director John Ratcliffe, adding, “I am proud to share our work on this incredibly important topic with the American people.”Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had earlier overseen the release of more than 10,000 pages related to Kennedy’s assassination at a Los Angeles hotel after winning the 1968 California Democratic primary.In April this year, about 10,000 pages of records related to Kennedy assasination were released, including handwritten notes by the gunman, who said the Democratic presidential candidate “must be disposed of” and acknowledged an obsession with killing him.RFK’s son, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, welcomed the move. “I commend President Trump for his courage and his commitment to transparency,” he said. “I’m grateful also to Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe for their dogged efforts to root out and declassify these documents.”