The Trump administration has released more than 230,000 pages of documents related to the 1968 assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., ending nearly six decades of restricted access.

The announcement was made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the declassified files shed new light on the FBI’s investigation into MLK’s murder, including internal memos, leads, and testimonies.

Among the documents are details about James Earl Ray’s former cellmate, who reportedly discussed an alleged assassination plot with him. Ray was convicted of assassinating King in Memphis, Tennessee, but many questions about the case have lingered for decades.

The move follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on January 23, just three days into his term, which mandated the declassification of remaining files related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., President John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy.

Previously, a 1977 court order had sealed the MLK files, keeping them stored in the National Archives.

King’s family was notified about the release, and his surviving children, Martin Luther King III and Bernice King, are currently reviewing the files. However, some family members reportedly expressed opposition to making the documents public.

Martin Luther King Jr. remains one of the most revered figures in American history, celebrated for his leadership in the civil rights movement and his advocacy for nonviolence and racial equality.

The document release is expected to reignite debate and analysis over the circumstances surrounding King’s assassination and the depth of federal involvement in monitoring him during his lifetime.