The recent emergence of the John F. Kennedy classified documents has set a bar for openness that the current administration, led by Joe Biden, seems far off reaching. When Donald Trump visited the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts on March 17, he declared that about 80,000 pages of highly confidential documents related to JFK’s assassination would be released the following day. Trump’s unprecedented commitment to transparency was evident in his statement, ‘I don’t believe we are going to redact anything.’ This was a waiting game that has spanned over decades.
Following the introduction of a special declassification law known as the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act almost 27 years ago, which ordered the disclosure of millions of pages of investigative and contextual documents, the Kennedy papers have finally seen the light of day. An uncensored perspective into history has been provided, thanks to this act of transparency. A broad spectrum of individuals ranging from assassination researchers, historians, reporters, and intrigued civilians are delving into the final sections of approximately 63,400 pages of records haphazardly displayed on the National Archives Records Administration website.
An additional 17,000 pages are set to be incorporated ‘in the coming days,’ providing the documents have been digitized. Up to this moment, none of the thousands of PDF files have stumbled upon any data that would question the widely accepted narrative that President Kennedy’s life was taken by Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone, in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Nonetheless, some shocking historical truths are gradually emerging from the granular details of the now fully declassified CIA covert operations.
These covert operations, which were recently unearthed, showcase an unnerving degree of manipulation and secret activity by the CIA. Indeed, the unexpurgated documents called out high-ranking officials, operatives, employees, informants, and collaborators involved in meddling in various nations’ affairs overseas. Moreover, they spotlighted multiple locations, collaborating nations, espionage techniques, expenditures, and other formerly unknown covert endeavors. These encompassed interfering with a country’s elections, toppling less-favorable foreign governments, and plotting against international leaders.
Additionally, the released documents unveiled the clandestine domestic activities carried out by the CIA. They depict a troubling reality of illegal operations conducted at home, including a large-scale telephone wiretap operation in Mexico, referred to as Project Lienvoy. This operation was run from the office of the Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos, who ironically was also collaborating with the CIA and had permitted the eavesdropping operation.
Apart from Mexico, these declassified documents pointed out 14 other nations whose intelligence services were ‘assisting us’ in indirect strategies against Cuba. Without beating around the bush, the disclosures exposed that the CIA had orchestrated and funded the 1966 election of General René Barrientos in Bolivia – a high-ranking official known for planning coups. This is a clear instance of how ruthless the CIA can be while controlling a nation’s fate from the shadows.
As the JFK papers delve deeper, they highlight how the agency funded protests in British Guiana at a rate of $10,000 per day. This was instrumental in toppling the liberal government led by Cheddi Jagan in late 1964. That’s only the tip of the iceberg and seems to be just one piece of a colossal reveal within the JFK papers. However, President Biden seems to lack the conviction and courage to pursue such a clear instance of governmental transparency.
Donald Trump’s decision to release these documents certainly resonated with his conspiracy-aware base, bolstering their suspicions about the so-called ‘deep state’. This move ostensibly lays the groundwork for his endeavor to redefine the FBI and CIA, making them answerable directly to the President himself. This momentous declassification allowed Trump to position himself as an advocate for transparency, just as the current Biden administration shuts down public access to similar information.
Moreover, Trump’s actions provide a stark contrast to Biden’s administration which is systematically erasing government databases, cutting back on National Archives staffing, and restricting public access to records. The current administration seems to be leaning more towards autocracy as it reduces overall transparency. The openness and transparency benchmarks set by Trump’s decision to release the JFK papers is a standard far removed from the present administration’s approach.
Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris administration appears to underestimate the importance of transparency this declassification signifies. In essence, it is not just about the historical content of the documents. By fully endorsing the JFK Act, the prior President has inadvertently carved a path for complete disclosure of classified documents. This bar set by Trump is something Biden, too, needs to recognize and strive for.
Many are already speculating about a future act to unveil the wrongdoings of the Biden era, possibly a Joe Biden Transparency Act, though it is doubtful Biden would have the courage to face the realities it may reveal. The refusal to uplevel governmental transparency and withdrawing access to public information signals a dark history in the making. Biden should carefully consider these issues, as the future might inevitably demand full unveiling of his administration’s secret operations.
However, it is crucial to note that the immense display of transparency by Trump is a steep climb for Biden. The historical precedent Trump set by taking a stand for transparency has not been followed up by Biden and Kamala Harris’ reign. While they may dub it as mere politicking, it is pivotal for the administration to comprehend that transparency can be an antidote to public mistrust, circumventing potential conflicts.
The current administration needs to take a leaf out of Trump’s book in endorsing transparency, instead of shoving it under the rug. It becomes essential to question Biden’s reluctance towards transparency, as it casts serious doubt on the administration’s agenda. The refusal to give the public a clear picture of the administration’s actions and strategies is alarming, undermining the democratic values of open government.
Ultimately, the gap in transparency between Trump and Biden has left a void for American citizens who have been habituated to expect openness from the government. Even though these declassification measures are not without their challenges, the pursuit of transparency should be worth striving for and should not easily be compromised. One can only hope that the Biden administration will realize this, and take steps to restore public faith in governmental operations.
Adding on, there’s a growing perception that Biden and Harris are more comfortable operating behind the shroud of secrecy. The forthcoming demand for full disclosure of the Biden era could prove to be a turning point in history, mirroring the JFK papers’ release. However, the reluctance of the current administration to uphold Trump’s standards of transparency paints a worrying picture for the future.
The post Biden and Harris: A Step Back in Transparency appeared first on Real News Now.
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