Unveiling the CIA: What the Newly Released JFK Files Reveal About Its Operations
In a significant development, a new batch of documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was released on March 18, 2025, under the 1992 JFK Assassination Records Collection Act, offering fresh glimpses into one of the most scrutinized events in American history. While much attention has focused on whether these files implicate the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the November 22, 1963, killing—an answer that remains elusive—they also pull back the curtain on how the CIA operated during the early 1960s. From meticulous record-keeping to shadowy covert missions, the documents paint a picture of an agency defined by secrecy, strategic collaboration, and a relentless focus on national security. Here’s what they tell us about the CIA’s inner workings.
A Master of Aggregation, Not Just Collection
The CIA emerges in these files as a formidable collector of intelligence, but not always the originator. Take its pre-assassination file on Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of killing JFK. According to document 104-10337-10001, this file was a modest 34 documents (124 pages) before November 1963, with only 11 penned by the CIA itself. The rest came from the FBI, State Department, Navy, and even newspaper clippings, tracking Oswald’s 1959 defection to the Soviet Union and his 1962 return. After the assassination, the file exploded to 33,000 pages—63 boxes and 73 reels of microfilm—mostly gathered from other agencies as part of investigations by the Warren Commission and the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA).
This pattern reveals a CIA that excels at aggregating intelligence, pulling threads from across the government and beyond to weave a broader picture. It’s less about generating every detail itself and more about being the hub where information converges—a reactive giant that springs into action when history demands it.
Covert Action with a Cloak of Deniability
The files also spotlight the CIA’s covert operations, particularly its efforts against Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Document 157-10014-10242 details Operation Mongoose and related plots, including partnerships with Mafia figures like John Rosselli to target Castro. These missions were shrouded in deniability, with the CIA using intermediaries and avoiding direct fingerprints. The file reveals that the agency withheld evidence from the Warren Commission suggesting Cuban retaliation for these plots, a decision known to heavyweights like Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and CIA Director Allen W. Dulles. The goal? To hide CIA-Mafia ties and prevent public outrage.
This approach is echoed in an interview with William K. Harvey, a key figure in anti-Castro efforts, found in file 157-10005-10141. Conducted in 1975, Harvey deflected questions about assassination plots against other leaders, like Patrice Lumumba, hinting at either tight compartmentalization or a well-rehearsed shield. His career, traced through files like 124-90092-10016, shows him moving from Berlin to Rome, executing global missions with autonomy yet under a centralized strategy—classic CIA tradecraft.
Watching the Shadows: Counterintelligence
Counterintelligence was another cornerstone of CIA operations, evident in its monitoring of Oswald. File 104-10337-10001 shows the agency tracking his defection and return, wary of defectors as potential security risks. The Office of Security, per file 104-10332-10023, maintained detailed files on him, managed by Marguerite D. Stevens, to guard against espionage. Even Oswald’s 1959 Helsinki trip, detailed in file 104-10004-10143, caught their eye, reflecting a proactive stance on tracking foreign contacts.
A Maze of Compartments
The CIA’s bureaucratic structure is a labyrinth of silos, limiting who knows what. Oswald’s files were split between the Office of Security and operational units, with figures like Stevens and Harvey working in separate spheres. This compartmentalization, seen in file 104-10332-10023, ensured operational security but likely slowed internal coordination—a trade-off for an agency obsessed with control.
Playing Nice (But Not Too Nice) with Others
The CIA didn’t operate in a vacuum. It leaned heavily on other agencies, with file 104-10337-10001 showing FBI and State Department data dominating the Oswald file. Yet, file 157-10014-10242 reveals a cagier side: the CIA held back from the Warren Commission to protect its secrets. This dance of collaboration and concealment underscores a strategic approach—share when it suits, shield when it doesn’t.
Secrecy as a Way of Life
Above all, secrecy defines the CIA. File 104-10337-10001 notes ongoing redactions for “privacy and security,” with full disclosure only recently nudged forward. The Cuban evidence cover-up in file 157-10014-10242 shows how the agency controls its narrative, releasing information on its terms—or not at all.
The CIA Unmasked?
These JFK files don’t rewrite the agency’s story, but they illuminate its playbook from the early 1960s: a blend of intelligence aggregation, covert action with deniability, vigilant counterintelligence, and a tightly segmented structure. It’s an agency that thrives in the shadows, balancing cooperation with secrecy, and always keeping its cards close. While the question of its role in JFK’s death lingers, the documents offer a compelling look at how the CIA operated during a tense, transformative era—one that shaped its legacy and the conspiracy theories that still swirl around it.