Oliver Stone Urges Congress to Reexamine the JFK Assassination

Filmmaker Oliver Stone called on lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to revisit the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He argued that a comprehensive reassessment is necessary, including scrutiny of the crime scene, the rifle and bullets used, fingerprints, and the autopsy records.

Trump’s Executive Order on Assassination Files

Since returning to the Oval Office in January, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at releasing long-concealed documents pertaining to the Kennedy assassination. This order also extends to files related to the assassinations of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Newly Released JFK Files

On March 18, a significant release of about 80,000 pages of JFK files provided both experts and conspiracy theorists with new material to analyze the circumstances surrounding Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963.

Stone’s Concerns Over CIA Files

During his statements on Tuesday, Stone highlighted his concerns regarding the CIA’s handling of the files he has sought to review. He remarked, “Despite the legal obligations imposed upon them, the CIA frequently ignores requests and provides no substantive responses.”

Stone expressed disappointment that crucial information has remained undisclosed by the CIA, asserting, “Nothing of importance has been revealed by the CIA in all these years.” He further commented on the presence of illegal activities involving U.S. foreign policy in various global regions, including Cuba, Vietnam, and the Middle East. He believes a detailed account of the CIA’s hidden actions could reshape our understanding of American history.

Call for Task Force Action

Stone urged the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, which is chaired by Representative Anna Paulina Luna from Florida, to lead a revival of the investigation into Kennedy’s assassination. He believes this task force could fulfill the inquiries that the Warren Commission overlooked.

The Warren Commission Findings

The Warren Commission concluded that there was no evidence implicating Lee Harvey Oswald or Oswald’s assassin, Jack Ruby, in any conspiracies surrounding the president’s death. Its controversial findings included the so-called magic bullet theory, which suggested that one bullet injured both President Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally during the shooting.

Reinvestigating the Assassination

Stone implored committee members to take a fresh look at the Warren Commission’s findings. He stated, “I ask you in good faith, independent of political agendas, to reinvestigate the assassination of President Kennedy thoroughly, examining every piece of evidence from the crime scene to the courtroom.” He emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the rifle, the bullets, and the autopsy, which he argues do not align with what would happen in any typical murder investigation.

Lee Harvey Oswald and the CIA

Stone proposed a detailed exploration of Oswald’s connections to intelligence agencies, indicating that there is significant evidence of the CIA’s involvement in his life. He believes a thorough investigation could uncover critical details overlooked in earlier inquiries.

The Legacy of CIA Officials

Additionally, Stone referenced Deputy CIA Director James Angleton’s perspective on historical officials like Allen Dulles and Richard Helms. Angleton’s comments conveyed a chilling reflection on the moral implications of their actions, which continue to resonate in the context of national governance.

Public Trust in Investigations

Stone pointed out that the integrity of democracy and the presidency is at stake. He asserted, “This is our democracy. Treat us with respect.” His call comes amid broader national discussions about transparency and governmental accountability.

Trump’s Acknowledgment of the Files

Stone also commented to The Hollywood Reporter in January, stating that Trump deserves recognition for his efforts to release the JFK assassination files. The public has a right to know the truth behind such pivotal events in United States history.

The FBI’s Position

Despite widespread calls for renewed investigation, the FBI maintains on its website that it conducted approximately 25,000 interviews and pursued countless investigative leads, concluding that Oswald acted alone. Notably, Oswald himself was killed shortly after Kennedy’s assassination, adding layers to the prevailing mystery.

Reporting by Alex Nitzberg contributed to this article.