Last weekend, Kerry Kennedy, sister to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expressed discontent towards her sibling and the Trump administration for making public a vast volume of classified files – consisting of chilling autopsy images – pertaining to the assassination of her father, the ex-senator and Democratic presidential nominee, Robert F. Kennedy. This public statement now raises questions: Is it a maneuver to safeguard the Kennedy Democratic heritage, as Robert F Kennedy Jr., serving as Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources, is accused of undermining or, in some opinions, enhancing the healthcare system in the U.S.? Or, does it simply embody the raw emotions of a daughter distressed by the public release of her father’s autopsy pictures?
On Friday, the Trump administration issued an assortment of formerly classified files associative to the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968. Among these documents are eyewitness accounts, crime scene images, and confessions handwritten by the assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, currently serving a life sentence in a California maximum-security prison.
Kerry Kennedy, a mere 8 years old when her father was gunned down, recalled the hardship of confronting such violence at a young age. ‘Being an 8-year-old girl who has to grapple with her father’s violent loss was hard. As of yesterday, Good Friday, it will become burdensome in an unforeseen, cruel way.’
She conveyed her worries over the distressing confrontation that she and her family, inclusive of siblings, children, nieces, and nephews, would endure when they come across images of their father. For the man they remembered as one who embraced them each morning and kissed them goodnight, would now be seen in brutal, bare autopsy photos. She admits the painful toll this takes on them.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on the other hand, had been forging ahead amid his political rounds, advocating for the release of these files along with those tied to his uncle, President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. He has publicly questioned the narrative of Sirhan acting alone in the assassination of his father. This doubt led him to meet his father’s murderer in prison in 2018 and lobby for his release.
Despite the parole board’s approval recommendation, Governor Newsom refused to grant Sirhan parole in 2022. According to Mr. Kennedy Jr., ‘Unveiling the RFK documents is crucial to reviving faith in the U.S. government.’
Sirhan’s handwritten notes blatantly confessed his intent to murder Mr. Kennedy, connoting his resolve to ‘dispose of RFK like his brother was.’ Other entries state haunting phrases such as ‘RFK must die’. However, additional evidence provides fodder for the conspiracy theorists.
There are mentions of a woman in a polka-dot dress and a voice claiming ‘we shot him’ from the murder scene. Moreover, FBI documents recount dialogues with travelers who toured Israel a month prior to the assassination. They claim to have received information on Mr. Kennedy’s shooting from a tour guide.
Following 60 years post the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the U.S. citizens would finally get to scrutinize the government’s investigation, according to the Director of National Intelligence in a statement. ‘I am profoundly grateful for the Kennedy family’s support.’
Disputing this claim, Kerry Kennedy stated, ‘I did not back this move.’ In her opinion, ‘Even if the Trump administration believes they can submerge us under pain, we will return stronger and fiercer.’
Expression of solidarity emerged from her, ‘Countless people are bearing even deeper sufferings. Think about the many families shattered due to the revived policy of separation. Consider the former federal employees and those who continue to live in fear.’
She criticized her brother’s decision to endorse Trump, terming it as ‘a forfeiture of the principles our father and our family cherish. This is an unfortunate close to a tragic tale.’
Following November’s election, she confessed her love for Bobby, but when asked if she could entrust him with managing the country’s healthcare, she plainly responded, ‘No.’