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Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
King's family releases statement after Trump declassifies secret FBI files, reaffirms Ray was not the killer
The Trump administration has released nearly 200,000 pages of previously sealed FBI surveillance records concerning civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These documents had been under a court-imposed seal since 1977 and were collected during the FBI's intensive monitoring of King. The files are now accessible to the public through the National Archives and Records Administration , which will offer new insight into the investigation, surveillance, and federal actions surrounding the civil rights leader's death. The release is part of Executive Order 14176, signed by President Donald Trump. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Public Policy Degree Design Thinking Technology Leadership Artificial Intelligence Data Science Project Management Product Management Data Analytics Finance Management MBA Others others Healthcare Operations Management PGDM Data Science MCA healthcare CXO Digital Marketing Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was placed under heavy FBI surveillance as part of the agency's COINTELPRO operation, to monitor and undermine individuals seen as threats to national security. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: Bathroom Remodeling Trends in 2025 May Surprise You Bathroom Remodeling | Search Ads Search Now FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover viewed King as a dangerous figure, accusing him of having alleged ties to communists and fearing his growing influence in the Civil Rights Movement . The agency's campaign went beyond surveillance; it included smear tactics, blackmail attempts, and efforts to discredit King publicly and privately, including a notorious anonymous letter urging him to take his own life. Live Events "The American people have waited nearly sixty years to see the full scope of the federal government's investigation into Dr King's assassination," Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard said in a statement. What happened to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic voice behind "I have a dream", was assassinated on April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. He was in the city to support striking sanitation workers. Shortly after the killing, James Earl Ray, a fugitive with a criminal record, was arrested in London and extradited to the United States. He pleaded guilty to King's murder in 1969 and was sentenced to 99 years in prison, avoiding a jury trial. However, Ray later recanted his confession, claiming he was coerced and had been set up as part of a broader conspiracy. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s family publicly stated that they did not believe James Earl Ray was the actual assassin. They believed he was a scapegoat in a larger conspiracy. Dr. King's surviving children, Martin Luther King III and Dr. Bernice A. King, were notified in advance of the document release to assemble research teams to review the contents before the public could access them. Statement from his family The Martin Luther King Jr. Center released a joint statement on Monday, July 21, from Martin Luther King III and Dr. Bernice A. King, responding to the public release of long-sealed government documents related to their father's assassination. 'We recognize that the release of documents concerning the assassination of our father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has long been a subject of interest, captivating public curiosity for decades,' they said. As children of Dr. King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, they said that this renewed attention comes with deep emotional weight. '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.' The family also requested that the documents must not be viewed in isolation but in the "full historical context" of their father's life and legacy. 'During our father's lifetime, he was relentlessly targeted by an invasive, predatory, and deeply disturbing disinformation and surveillance campaign orchestrated by J. Edgar Hoover through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),' they said. They alleged that this campaign (COINTELPRO) was not simply an effort to gather intelligence but to destroy a man and a movement. 'The intent of the government's COINTELPRO campaign was not only to monitor, but to discredit, dismantle and destroy Dr. King's reputation and the broader American Civil Rights Movement . These actions were not only invasions of privacy, but intentional assaults on the truth, undermining the dignity and freedoms of private citizens who fought for justice, designed to neutralize those who dared to challenge the status quo.' Ray was not the shooter Referencing a key moment in their family's pursuit of truth, the statement recalled the 1999 civil trial in Shelby County, Tennessee. 'Our family filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit... The jury unanimously concluded that our father was the victim of a conspiracy involving Loyd Jowers and unnamed co-conspirators, including government agencies as part of a wider scheme. The verdict also affirmed that someone other than James Earl Ray was the shooter, and that Mr. Ray was set up to take the blame.' They affirmed that this verdict reflects what they have long believed. 'As we review these newly released files, we will assess whether they offer additional insights beyond the findings our family has already accepted.' While supporting truth and transparency, they raised caution about how the documents may be used. 'We object to any attacks on our father's legacy or attempts to weaponize it to spread falsehoods. We strongly condemn any attempts to misuse these documents in ways intended to undermine our father's legacy and the significant achievements of the movement,' they said. 'Those who promote the fruit of the FBI's surveillance will unknowingly align themselves with an ongoing campaign to degrade our father and the Civil Rights Movement.' Dr. King's mission is the way Instead of fueling old injustices, the family urged the public to uphold and continue Dr. King's mission. 'We encourage the public to continue the work that our father began – building equity, justice, and peace for all,' the statement reads. 'Now more than ever, we must honor his sacrifice by committing ourselves to the realization of his dream – a society rooted in compassion, unity, and equality.' The message concluded with a call to action grounded in Dr. King's enduring vision of a just and loving world. 'Let us move forward together, inspired by our father's enduring vision of the Beloved Community – a world made possible when we choose to center love in all that we do. By embracing compassion, mutual respect, and justice, we can transform his dream into our shared reality.' What the files contain The files include: Records from the FBI's COINTELPRO operations, revealing extensive surveillance and psychological harassment of King. Internal FBI memos show attempts to discredit him, including a 1964 letter urging him to take his own life. CIA reports tracking James Earl Ray's movements across Portugal, England, and Canada during his flight after the assassination. Materials from the House Select Committee on Assassinations, which had earlier suggested a possible conspiracy behind King's murder. Details on Ray's extradition from the UK and intelligence-sharing with international agencies, including Canadian police.
Scottish Sun
22-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
America's beautiful capital is the perfect place to visit as country prepares to celebrate big birthday
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHERE to start a grand tour ahead of USA's 250th birthday? Well, kicking it off in the shadow of the White House was always going to be hard to Trump. 12 The U.S. Capitol dome Credit: Reuters 12 We stopped off outside The White House Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 Summer sunrise over Washington, D.C. Credit: Getty I spent a never-to-be-forgotten seven days touring the famous Capital Region of the United States, just before Uncle Sam celebrates his big birthday in 2026. Washington DC and the surrounding area are dripping with history. It's the political centre of America, after all. Not only is it the home of the President, it also stands as the cornerstone of a modern-day superpower. It wasn't clear whether the Donald was working in the Oval Office when we looked across the White House grounds at the start of our American adventure. But who'd blame him if he wanted to get out and about to explore the history on his own doorstep. The natural beauty and sensational sights of the Capital Region would provide anyone with a trip to remember. First up, was the National Mall, a two-mile stretch of land featuring some of the most historic landmarks in the States. I grew up watching TV series and movies set in the area, and always dreamed of seeing the White House and standing at the bottom of Capitol Hill. So naturally, when the opportunity came around, I jumped at it. And it blew my expectations out of the water. Within an hour of leaving Washington Dulles airport, I found myself in the heart of DC, surrounded by all of those landmarks I had seen so many times on small or big screens. We checked into the Willard InterContinental hotel and took off towards the sights I'd always wanted to glimpse. THE BEST OF USA The Mall was unlike anything I've ever seen before, like a city inside a city - one of the highlights of the trip. Down the centre, an enormous strip of undisturbed greenery, sandwiched by a wall of museums, art galleries, tourist sites, and more. I could see for miles, from the Washington Monument, all the way down to Capitol Hill, with clear blue skies and nothing but fresh air ahead of me, a far cry from my daily commute. DC is famous for moments marked throughout history. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Dr Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech, and of course, as the home of the President - but there is far more to the city than you might think. 12 Within walking distance of several historic monuments, this region of the city is perfect for keen travellers Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 We took a trip around several stunning sights in the city - many of which are steeped in history Credit: EPA 12 The Chicken and waffles at Succotash Prime was delciious One of the staples of the Capital Region is its food. More specifically, its seafood. From oysters and crabs to seaweed and lobster. If it comes from the sea - it won't be hard to find here. I stopped at one of the city's famous restaurants - Succotash Prime, renowned locally for their oysters, and adaptations on several culinary favourites. But the ideal meal for me was a house special - a take on Chicken and waffles. GO: USA GO: CAPITAL REGION USA GETTING THERE: United Airlines flies from Edinburgh to Washington Dulles airport, from £763pp return. See GETTING/STAYING THERE: A nine night trip including three nights at The Willard in Washington DC, three nights at Kent Island Resort in Maryland, one night at the Marriott Tysons Mclean in Tysons, Virginia and two nights at the Hampton Inn and Suites Williamburg, Virginia, is from £2,199pp including flights on dates in September/October and car hire. See or call 08448 044 480. MORE INFO : For more on Capital Region see No doubt much of the finest seafood DC has to offer comes from the famous Chesapeake Bay, the perfect location for a fresh catch. And that's where we headed next. After crossing the DC border into Maryland, I met with fifth-generation angler Tyrone Meredith, who for decades has studied the bay, and found the perfect spots for crabbing, an industry vital to the state's culture and economy. After showing me how to prepare the perfect dish, I then tried my hand at it myself - but I think I'll maybe leave it to the experts in future! But I did master sitting on the docks on the Chesapeake Bay, enjoying a drink in the sun, looking out over the open expanse of water without a wave in sight - it was simply incredible. 12 Sunrise over dock and the Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland. 12 We tried our hand at preparing some of Maryland's famous freshly caught crab Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun After a day out on the bay, touring the marina, and enjoying some of the finest food on offer, we checked into the beautiful Kent Island Resort. It's a remote hotel on the edge of the bay, perfect for both a trip away with the family or equally as a couple's holiday. The resort is perfect for those who enjoy a break from the madness, retreating into the comfort of your own company, without the background noise of a full-blown party in the distance. It made for a lovely night in after a day packed full of activities. Next up on the agenda, was a trip into Virginia. 12 We checked into the gorgeous Kent Island Resort in Queen Anne's County - a stunning hotel in a remote location, perfect for a quiet break from the action Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 Great Falls Park, has stunning views of the Potomac River On arrival, I stopped off at the incredible Great Falls Park, where there are the most incredible views of the famous Potomac River, which runs all the way from West Virginia, through DC and back into Maryland. I was mesmerised by the sheer scale of it all. As a child, my grandparents used to take me out to Rouken Glen Park in Glasgow every week, where a personal favourite was the waterfall by the pond. But compared to what awaited me at Great Falls, that 'waterfall' was nothing but a drop in the ocean. I could hear the falls from a mile away, well before I could see them. Hundreds of yards of crashing waves on the rocks, and water travelling faster than a speeding car - it was simply put one of the more amazing sights. The great part about the site is, you get the freedom to enjoy it however you like. There are several viewing points, information boards, food trucks, and entertainment for the family - it makes for a fabulous day out, and you take as much or as little time as you need. While sharing some similarities with its neighbours, Virginia provided its own unique experiences - one of which was a trip to the home of the first American President, George Washington. His life is celebrated, and preserved with exhibits at his home, Mount Vernon. When I visited, it was a typical Monday but you'd have thought it was a national holiday. 12 Mount Vernon - home to the first U.S. President, George Washington - showcases the history of his life before becoming President Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 At the top of the estate, is his home, which thousands of students queued for hours to tour There were hundreds, if not thousands of school pupils touring the site, huddled in groups each with their own historian. It really put into perspective the enormity of the USA and the importance of patriotism in the country. At the site, you can tour Washington's former home, the grounds that surround it, and even stop off at his tomb, where he and his wife are buried. There are plenty of photo opportunities with historians who have an incredible depth of knowledge on the history of Mount Vernon and George Washington. It was a trip I'll never forget and I will most definitely be returning to the region in the very near future. Oh and many happy returns, America.
USA Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Martin Luther King Jr. for Winston Churchill: Trump changes up Oval Office decor
Martin Luther King Jr. for Winston Churchill: Trump changes up Oval Office decor President Barack Obama moved the Martin Luther King Jr. bust into the Oval Office in 2009. Trump kept it during his first term but now it's gone. Show Caption Hide Caption MLK Jr.'s daughter remembers his 'I have a dream' speech 60 years after the March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King reflects on his iconic 'I have a dream' speech. A bronze bust of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. placed in the Oval Office by former President Barack Obama has been moved out. The bust of the famed civil rights leaders now sits in President Donald Trump's private dining room, steps away from the Oval Office, a White House official confirmed to USA TODAY. It's a room where he holds private meetings and lunches with senior staff and is part of various changes he's made to the Oval Office, said the official. The Oval Office now features various flourishes including gold ornaments around door frames, gold figurines on the fireplace mantle and a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence behind blue velvet curtains. During Trump's first term in office, the bust of the civil rights leaders first installed by Obama in 2009 held a prominent place in the Oval Office. Also returning to the Oval Office? A bust of Winston Churchill. Trump brought back the bust of the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Sir Jacob Epstein in the Oval Office on January 20, his first day as president. Trump was fulfilling "a promise he made after his election win and returning a Churchill bust to the place it was prominently displayed during his first term," according to America's National Churchill Museum. Obama had moved Churchill's bust to the Treaty Room, located on the second floor of the White House Residence during his tenure. In 2009, the year Obama was sworn-in as the nation's first African American president, he moved King's bust from the White House library into the Oval Office. The bust was cast by Black artist Charles Alston in 1970, two years after King's assassination. Alston received a commission from Rev. Donald Harrington for the Community Church of New York to create a bust of the civil rights leader for $5,000. King's bust, on loan from the Smithsonian, was first brought to the White House library in 2000, during former President Clinton's second term. Earlier this week, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization, announced that for the first time in 116 years, the sitting president of the U.S. will not be invited to the NAACP National Convention to be held in July. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal
