Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused the CIA of illegally seizing classified documents about his uncle’s assassination before completely reversing his statement within days, creating confusion about what actually happened to the records that were supposed to be released by 2025.

The Initial Accusations

Kennedy initially told The New York Post the CIA’s actions were illegal and impossible to explain without sinister motives. He referenced the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, which mandated the release of all assassination records by 2025. President Trump signed an executive order after taking office demanding an end to what he called endless delays in releasing the documents.

The controversy erupted after reports claimed the CIA seized boxes of secret JFK documents from outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s office. Former CIA officer James Erdman testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security that 40 boxes of assassination records were taken from Gabbard’s office, including documents from the previously secret MK-Ultra program where the agency conducted mind control experiments from the 1950s through 1970s.

Complete Reversal

Kennedy retracted his statements completely in a Saturday post on social media, saying he immediately investigated the claim about the CIA seizing files and determined the story was false. His representatives did not respond to requests for further comment about what prompted the reversal or what his investigation uncovered.

Both the CIA and White House denied any documents were withheld or seized. A CIA spokesperson stated that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence acknowledged in writing they made a mistake claiming boxes were seized and later admitted no boxes were ever missing or unavailable. The White House confirmed all relevant documents were either provided or made available for review by the DNI.

Congressional Response

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Representative Anna Paulina Luna launched efforts to force the CIA to release any relevant assassination material. Kennedy had expressed gratitude for their congressional action before reversing his position on the underlying claims. The back-and-forth leaves questions about government transparency and the status of long-promised JFK assassination records that Americans have waited decades to see fully declassified.