Context:

In a move touted as a triumph of transparency, the Trump administration released over 6,000 documents related to the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., although historians noted the lack of significant new information. The trove, which includes nearly a quarter-million pages, does not contain FBI wiretap recordings of King, which remain sealed until 2027. The release, seemingly timed to distract from calls to disclose files related to Jeffrey Epstein's death, includes materials on investigative leads and interviews with individuals associated with King's killer, James Earl Ray. A notable file is an audio interview with Jerry Ray, James Earl Ray's sibling, but many documents have degraded over time. The records contain diverse accounts such as news clippings, public tips, and details of Ray's personal endeavors, though much remains illegible due to age and digitization issues.

Dive Deeper:

• More than 6,000 documents, amounting to nearly a quarter-million pages, were released online by the National Archives, detailing the investigation into Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Despite the volume, historians found little new information regarding King's death.

• Crucially absent from the document release are FBI wiretap recordings of King and other materials, which will not be available until 2027, limiting the potential for new insights into the assassination.

• The timing of the document release coincided with the Trump administration's efforts to shift focus away from demands for transparency regarding Jeffrey Epstein's death, suggesting strategic intent behind the disclosure.

• Included in the release are notes on investigative leads, interviews with individuals connected to James Earl Ray, and previously uncataloged interactions with foreign intelligence services during Ray's manhunt.

• A singular audio file features an interview with Jerry Ray, James Earl Ray's brother, adding a rare audio component to the collection, though the bulk of the documents have suffered degradation over time.

• The records encompass a broad array of materials, including news articles, public tips, and anecdotes about Ray's personal life, such as his interest in dance classes and use of James Bond-inspired aliases.

• The physical condition and digitization process have rendered many pages almost illegible, posing challenges for historians and others seeking to glean information from the vast collection.