In a major move toward transparency, President Donald Trump has authorized the release of more than 200,000 pages of FBI records detailing decades of surveillance on civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The files, sealed under court order since 1977, are now available to the public—a fulfillment of Trump’s campaign pledge to declassify long-hidden records related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and Dr. King.
The documents shed light on the intense interest federal agencies had in Dr. King, with many detailing surveillance operations directed by then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. According to a statement from Dr. King’s children, the civil rights leader was “relentlessly targeted by an invasive, predatory, and deeply disturbing disinformation and surveillance campaign.”
The King family acknowledged the release with mixed emotions, urging the public to view the materials “within their full historical context.” Two of Dr. King’s children expressed concern about reopening wounds related to their father’s assassination, which occurred more than five decades ago.
While some view the document dump as politically motivated, others praise the move. Dr. King’s niece commended President Trump, thanking him for making the files public and prioritizing transparency. The Department of Justice filed a motion to lift the longstanding seal ahead of the original 2027 timeline, citing public interest.
This development comes at a time when many Americans are calling for more consistent transparency across all branches of government. Rev. Earle Fisher, a Memphis-based pastor, voiced skepticism over the timing, suggesting it may serve as a distraction from other pressing issues—namely, the lack of progress in revealing the full extent of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful network of associates.
“Why now?” Fisher asked, echoing the sentiment of many who believe selective transparency undermines public trust. “This is not a discovery. This is more than likely a distraction away from other matters, like the Epstein files.”
Indeed, while the public now has access to thousands of pages on King, far less has been disclosed about the Epstein scandal. The House Oversight Committee recently voted to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, and the DOJ has reportedly agreed to meet with her. Yet meaningful details remain scarce, fueling frustration across the political spectrum.
Conservatives argue that transparency should be applied evenly—not just to historical figures like Dr. King, but to modern scandals involving elite and politically connected individuals. If government agencies are willing to expose decades-old surveillance operations against civil rights leaders, the same standard should apply to sealed records involving figures of contemporary influence.
While the release of the MLK files is being hailed as a milestone in American historical access, it also serves as a reminder of how much remains hidden. Many Americans are now asking: if these records can be opened, why not all of them?
True transparency means the government doesn’t get to choose which truths the public is allowed to see.
