Historians and researchers continue to unravel the vast trove of CIA files recently made public regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Central to the discussion is the role of the CIA, with some of the world’s leading JFK assassination experts now asserting that there is enough evidence to conclude definitively that the CIA had a role in the president’s murder. This assertion has reignited debates that have simmered for decades and brought renewed attention to the shadowy world of espionage, covert operations, and political intrigue surrounding that fateful day in Dallas.

Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, recently announced that an additional 13,000 pages of unredacted documents have been uploaded to the National Archives website. Previously, these files were only accessible in person. The release of these documents has sparked a flurry of activity among historians, journalists, and conspiracy researchers eager to piece together the complex puzzle.

James Roben Al, a presidential historian and author, contributed a detailed piece for Vanity Fair outlining the challenges and discoveries emerging from this massive data dump. Al emphasizes that it will take time to fully digest the 80,000 pages now available. Contrary to the dismissive headlines claiming “nothing new” or “Oswald did it,” Al points out that such conclusions are premature and simplistic. “How can you possibly say that after 80,000 pages?” he asks rhetorically. He explains that understanding these files requires a deep knowledge of spycraft, code names, and the intricate workings of intelligence agencies, which most casual observers lack.

One of the most compelling revelations involves the CIA’s connections to Cuban exiles and their paramilitary activities. Researchers like Jefferson Morley, widely regarded as the foremost expert on JFK files, argue that the CIA’s involvement was not accidental or merely bureaucratic missteps. Morley highlights that the agency knew about Oswald’s activities and monitored him closely, yet lied to the Warren Commission about their knowledge. Moreover, the CIA was aware of the Miami office’s paramilitary training of Cuban exiles who harbored intense animosity toward Kennedy. Morley suggests that this points to intentional conduct by the CIA—whether direct involvement in the assassination plot or willful complicity by standing aside.

At the center of this narrative is James Jesus Angleton, a legendary figure in CIA history, who reportedly had an extensive dossier on Oswald on his desk the very day of the assassination. Morley believes this was no coincidence. The question remains whether the CIA approved an assassination plan or merely allowed it to unfold without intervention. Either way, Morley contends, the agency played a role.

This leads to renewed scrutiny of Lee Harvey Oswald himself. Some researchers, drawing on new evidence and historical context, argue that Oswald was a pawn—possibly unaware of the full scope of events or even framed by Cuban exiles masquerading as pro-Castro supporters. The book “The Oswald Puzzle” explores this theory in depth, suggesting that Oswald was manipulated in a psychological operation designed to make him appear guilty while the real perpetrators remained hidden. This narrative complicates the traditional view of Oswald as a lone assassin and shifts suspicion toward covert actors operating behind the scenes.

Adding to the momentum, Representative Anapolie Luna, who heads a new federal task force charged with declassifying related materials, has hinted at the existence of a “smoking gun” document from a CIA whistleblower implicating the agency in the assassination. Luna announced that Jefferson Morley will be the first witness called at a congressional hearing scheduled for April 1st, where these explosive claims will be examined. While caution is advised—given political motivations and the complexity of intelligence work—this development fuels hope that more definitive answers may emerge.

The upcoming hearing is designed not just to uncover a single “smoking gun” but to educate the public about the broader context and intricacies of intelligence operations during the Cold War. Morley and Luna emphasize that understanding the CIA’s role requires patience and expertise, as the files are filled with coded language and require piecing together many fragments to see the full picture.

One of the most significant pieces of eyewitness testimony comes from Paul Landis, the only surviving Secret Service agent who witnessed the assassination up close. Landis found a pristine two-inch bullet near the limousine—contradicting the Warren Commission’s “single bullet theory” that claimed one bullet caused multiple wounds. Landis’s account supports the existence of multiple shooters, bolstering conspiracy theories and challenging official narratives.

Despite the flood of new documents, many files remain sealed under court orders. The FBI reportedly discovered 2,400 documents earlier this year that have yet to be released. Experts like Morley urge continued investigation, noting that key figures like George G Gonidis, who ran the CIA’s Miami office, have files that have not yet been thoroughly examined. The CIA itself must revisit its archives with fresh eyes to uncover hidden truths.

Questions linger about Oswald’s true role—was he a willing participant, an unwitting dupe, or entirely innocent? Forensic evidence, such as tests showing no gunpowder on Oswald’s cheek, complicates the picture. His shooting of a police officer after the assassination raises further questions about his state of mind and possible motives.

The implications of these revelations extend beyond historical curiosity. James Roben Al reflects on the parallels between the CIA’s unchecked power in the 1960s and modern intelligence agencies’ influence today. Former President Harry Truman famously warned about the CIA’s overreach shortly after Kennedy’s death, cautioning that the agency should gather intelligence, not conduct covert operations. Yet, history shows that the CIA often blurred those lines, raising questions about accountability and oversight that resonate in today’s political climate.

As the April 1st hearing approaches and researchers continue to sift through thousands of pages, one thing is clear: the JFK assassination remains one of America’s most enduring mysteries. The newly released documents offer tantalizing clues but also underscore the complexity of truth in the shadowy world of espionage. For those willing to delve deeply into the evidence, the quest for answers continues—driven by a desire to understand not only what happened in Dallas but also how power operates behind closed doors.