Certification for Certain Records Related to the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Impact dates

1. Oct 26, 2021

   Full public disclosure of records or end of certified withholding period

2. Sep 26, 2021

   Archivist must recommend to President whether continued withholding is warranted

3. Apr 26, 2021

   Agencies seeking further postponement must identify specific basis to Archivist

4. Apr 25, 2021

   Agencies must re-review each redaction (3-year period from signing)

Key directives

• Certify continued withholding of JFK assassination records until no later than October 26, 2021
• Order agencies to re-review each redaction over the next 3 years
• Direct agencies to disclose information that no longer warrants withholding at any time during review period
• Require agencies seeking further postponement beyond October 26, 2021 to identify specific basis to Archivist by April 26, 2021
• Direct Archivist to recommend to President by September 26, 2021 whether continued withholding is warranted
• Authorize and direct Archivist to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

• Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies · Various
• Archivist of the United States · NARA

Timeline

Risks & tensions

• Tension between transparency and national security: document cites 'identifiable harm' but also acknowledges congressional finding that 'only in the rarest cases' is continued protection legitimate
• Vague standard for disclosure during 3-year re-review—no mandatory disclosure triggers specified beyond agency discretion
• Potential for indefinite delay: mechanism exists for further postponement beyond 2021, creating risk of perpetual withholding