Donald Trump releases 230,000 FBI files on MLK's assassination - what's in them?
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is publishing 230,000 pages worth of documents relating to the death of the civil rights leader in 1968.
The released files have been 'sat collecting dust in facilities across the federal government for decades' as they had never been digitized, the ODNI said.
They include internal FBI memos about the investigation's process and prison testimony.
US president Donald Trump ordered the release of the files surrounding the deaths of President John F Kennedy, attorney General Robert F Kennedy and MLK.
He made similar promises to release the documents during his 2017 to 2021 term.
But under pressure from the FBI, he kept a chunk of documents under wraps, citing national security concerns.
Director of the ODNI Tulsi Gabbard said: 'The American people have waited nearly sixty years to see the full scope of the federal government's investigation into Dr King's assassination.
'Under President Trump's leadership, we are ensuring that no stone is left unturned in our mission to deliver complete transparency on this pivotal and tragic event in our nation's history.'
Dr Alveda King, the niece of MLK, celebrated the release describing it as a 'historic step forward'.
She said: 'I am grateful to President Trump and DNI Gabbard for delivering on their pledge of transparency in the release of these documents on the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
'My uncle lived boldly in pursuit of truth and justice, and his enduring legacy of faith continues to inspire Americans to this day.
'While we continue to mourn his death, the declassification and release of these documents are a historic step towards the truth that the American people deserve.'
But MLK's two living children Martin III and Bernice have asked readers to engage with the files with 'empathy and restraint', adding they do not believe Ray acted alone.
They wrote: 'As the children of Dr. King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, his tragic death has been an intensely personal grief – a devastating loss for his wife, children, and the granddaughter he never met – an absence our family has endured for over 57 years.
'We ask those who engage with the release of these files to do so with empathy, restraint, and respect for our family's continuing grief.'
But the timing of their release has raised suspicion as Americans demand to see more files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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