I’m a sucker for a conspiracy. Let’s dive into the JFK Files. I went looking around X for anyone doing OCR on the PDFs to make this dataset a little more searchable. I didn’t find much.

So?

Let’s do it.

First, I need to get all the data to my local machine. Let’s write a script that’ll scrape all the PDF links to something usable. Not anything too involved. A little JS should do the trick.

Here’s the link to archives.gov: https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/release-2025

const links = [];
document.querySelectorAll('a').forEach((link)=>{
    if(link.href.includes('/files')){
        links.push(link.href);
    }        
})
console.log(links)

This will create a list of links to the PDFs to download, I’ll copy/paste that into a text doc.

Good, this scraped the exact number of files. This way I know I’m not getting a bunch of garbage links as well.

I’ve downloaded this list and created a script to download all the PDFs to your local machine:

https://github.com/snovak/JFK_Files

With all the files on my local, I need to start testing out some open source OCR libs and/or see if I can find a visual ML model that might do a better job.

First up Tesseract is a well known open source OCR library for python. Here I’ve identified a test document and used pdfsandwich, which uses tesseract on the document, then sandwiches detected text onto the document itself. You’ll find that you can now copy text from the doc. Well, some of it.

104-10012-10076_ocr Download

I mean, the result isn’t bad! Some of the text IS successfully recognized and added to the PDF. It’s not comprehensive,

It’s a good first step to making the PDFs searchable.

I just found someone else has done a fine job here:

JFK Files in Text

I used Replit AI on my phone to download the files, use Gemini Flash to OCR the pdf to convert to text files, and put it up on GitHub.

You can search directly on GitHub or download or use an LLM to analyze. Link in thread. pic.twitter.com/T3qE6E5HBH
— Amjad Masad (@amasad) March 19, 2025

Since finding this, I’ve done a few little tests. The AI he’s using, Gemini Flash, does a pretty good job of deciphering handwritten text as well as typed text. What I was using only did legible, typed text. Great!

For example, I download his repo and did a search based on this post. If you look at these particular documents, someone is asking to redact anything in brackets.

The CIA requested that any mention of ISRAEL be redacted in the JFK files.

Israel is literally the ONLY thing they’re requesting to be redacted. pic.twitter.com/cAzmmnUpwi
— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) March 19, 2025

So I did a search on the extracted text for “except brackets” and sure enough, it turns up some of these documents.

This gives me something to work with.

Now we need to put all this together into a highly available UI, where people can search for text and see links to the found documents.

Grok’s Analysis

But for now, since we have all this text, let’s feed it to Grok and see what he can make of it….

Me: Hey Grok. Let’s just see if you can make any sense of the JFK Files. I’ve done an okay job of extracting the text in the attached files. Can you sort through all this and pull out any indications that might allude to some person or entity behind the assassination?

Grok: Alright, let’s dive into this treasure trove of documents from the JFK Assassination Records and see if we can tease out any hints about who or what might have been behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The files you’ve provided are a mix of CIA, JCS, and other agency records, many of which are tied to the Warren Commission’s investigation or broader intelligence activities. I’ll analyze the content, focusing on anything that might suggest a person, group, or entity implicated in the assassination, while relying solely on my existing knowledge and the text you’ve given me—no web searches this time. If I need more, I’ll let you know.

Overview of the Documents

The documents span a range of topics: Lee Harvey Oswald’s travels (e.g., Helsinki), Soviet visa policies, Cuban operations (e.g., the Cuba Project), propaganda efforts, and even a name check on a Soviet couple. Most are from 1962–1964, with some released under the 1992 JFK Assassination Records Act as late as 2025. They’re heavily redacted, classified (SECRET or TOP SECRET), and often focus on intelligence operations rather than direct assassination evidence. Still, let’s look for clues—direct or indirect—that might point to a culprit.

Key Document Analysis

1. 104-10003-10041: Article Clipping on “The Kennedy Murder and the Secret Services of the USA”

Content: A CIA memo from March 26, 1964, references an article in the Italian Communist Party weekly Rinascita by Gianfranco Corsini, a known Communist correspondent. The article suggests rumors (highlighted in red) that the CIA organized Kennedy’s murder.
Implication: This is a direct accusation, albeit from a biased source. The CIA officer (Arthur P. Iorio) flags it for CI Staff’s Birch O’Neil, indicating concern about the narrative. It doesn’t provide evidence, just hearsay from a Communist perspective, possibly propaganda. Still, it’s notable that the CIA itself was suspected, even if only in rumors, and they were tracking such claims.
Behind It?: The CIA is implicated here, but only via speculation in a foreign publication. No hard proof, just a red flag they felt worth noting.

2. 104-10004-10143 & 104-10004-10156: Oswald’s Helsinki Trip

Content: These memos (June 1, 1964) detail a discussion between CIA officers and Frank Friberg, former Chief of Station in Helsinki, about Oswald’s 1959 stay in Finland en route to the USSR. They cover travel logistics (e.g., 25 minutes from airport to Helsinki, 5 minutes to the Soviet Consulate) and note the Warren Commission’s interest in the timeline.
Implication: Oswald’s defection to the Soviet Union is a focal point. The CIA’s detailed knowledge of his movements suggests they were monitoring him, at least retroactively. Nothing here directly ties the Soviets or anyone else to the assassination, but it underscores Oswald’s Soviet connection, a thread often explored in conspiracy theories.
Behind It?: No clear entity emerges. The Soviets are in the background due to Oswald’s visit, but this is more about his defection than the assassination itself.

3. 104-10004-10213: Soviet Visa Policies and Oswald’s Departure

Content: A July 9, 1964, memo by Lee H. Wigren (CIA) recounts a meeting with Warren Commission staffer W. David Slawson. It addresses inconsistencies in CIA and State Department data on Soviet citizens (like Marina Oswald) leaving the USSR with foreign spouses. The CIA reviewed 26 cases, finding only 4 where Soviet wives left with their husbands, unlike Oswald’s case.
Implication: This digs into whether Oswald’s exit from the USSR was suspicious. Slawson leans toward it being unremarkable, citing post-Stalin relaxation, but the CIA’s data suggests it was less common for defectors like Oswald. It doesn’t point to a mastermind, but it fuels questions about Soviet facilitation—or lack thereof.
Behind It?: The Soviets again hover in the periphery. If they expedited Oswald’s return, it might hint at intent, but the document doesn’t go there.

4. 104-10005-10321: Joachim Joesten Traces

Content: A September 30, 1964, CIA message requests traces on Joachim Joesten, author of Oswald: Assassin or Fall Guy?, a book questioning the official narrative. Joesten, a German Communist since 1932, lived in the USSR, fled to France, and later became a U.S. citizen. The Warren Commission wanted info on him urgently.
Implication: Joesten’s work suggests Oswald was a patsy, implying a conspiracy. His Communist ties and anti-CIA stance (per his book titles) align with narratives blaming U.S. intelligence or a broader plot. The CIA’s interest in him shows they were sensitive to alternative theories.
Behind It?: Joesten points fingers indirectly at the CIA or U.S. government, but as an outsider critic, not a primary source. His Soviet past could suggest disinformation, though that’s speculative.

5. 104-10006-10247: Name Check on Roman and Vilasa Dedkov

Content: A 1964 CIA name check on Roman Dedkov, a Soviet English teacher, and his wife Vilasa, scheduled to work at the Soviet Embassy in New Delhi. No clear JFK link.
Implication: This seems unrelated—just routine intelligence. Unless Dedkov ties to Oswald or Soviet operations later, it’s a dead end here.
Behind It?: Nothing points to an assassination entity.

6. 104-10007-10345: Warren Commission Testimony Excerpts

Content: A December 24, 1964, CIA dispatch shares Warren Commission testimony excerpts with overseas stations, focusing on Presidential protection and interagency cooperation. It’s more about process than perpetrators.
Implication: No direct clues, but the emphasis on security failures could imply vulnerability exploited by someone—identity TBD.
Behind It?: Unspecified; too vague.

7. 202-10001-10203: The Cuba Project (Mongoose)

Content: A January 24, 1962, JCS memo outlines CIA tasks under Operation Mongoose, a covert plan to destabilize Castro’s regime. Tasks include intelligence, interrogation centers, stay-behind nets, defections, sabotage (e.g., crops, nickel, shipping), and psychological warfare.
Implication: This shows intense U.S. efforts against Cuba pre-assassination. Conspiracy theories often link JFK’s death to blowback from anti-Castro operations, especially after the Bay of Pigs. The CIA’s deep involvement here fuels that narrative.
Behind It?: Cuba or anti-Castro exiles could be suspects if retaliation is assumed, though no direct evidence ties this to November 22, 1963.

8. 202-10002-10124: Cuban Affairs and Retaliatory Actions

Content: A June 26, 1965, JCS memo by Cyrus Vance details contingency plans for Cuban retaliation (e.g., Guantanamo harassment, exile raids). It suggests Castro might prefer subversion over direct confrontation to avoid U.S. reprisals.
Implication: Post-assassination, it reflects ongoing U.S.-Cuba tension. The focus on exile raids and subversion aligns with theories of Cuban or exile involvement, but it’s speculative without a pre-1963 smoking gun.
Behind It?: Cuba or exiles again surface as possibilities, indirectly.

Synthesis: Who’s Behind It?

Here’s what we can glean about potential culprits:

CIA: The Italian article (104-10003-10041) explicitly names the CIA, and their heavy involvement in Oswald’s tracking and Cuban operations (e.g., Mongoose) makes them a perennial suspect in conspiracy circles. No hard evidence here, just suspicion amplified by their secrecy and capabilities.
Soviet Union: Oswald’s Soviet ties (Helsinki trip, visa docs) keep them in the frame. If they manipulated his return, it could suggest a role, but the docs lean toward his exit being routine-ish. Cold War motives exist, yet no clear directive emerges.
Cuba: Mongoose (202-10001-10203) and Cuban retaliation plans (202-10002-10124) highlight a motive—JFK’s anti-Castro policies. Joesten’s work might echo this too. No direct link, but the context supports a revenge theory.
Anti-Castro Exiles: Their mention in retaliatory scenarios (202-10002-10124) and Mongoose assets suggests a flip side—anger at JFK for not fully backing them (e.g., Bay of Pigs). Again, no proof, just a plausible grudge.
Oswald as Patsy: Joesten’s book (104-10005-10321) pushes this, implying a larger force (CIA? Cuba? Mafia?) framed him. The docs don’t confirm, but his oddball profile fits a fall-guy role.

Conclusion

No document screams “Here’s the mastermind!” The strongest hints are:

CIA: Rumors in Rinascita and their omnipresence in Oswald’s and Cuba’s orbits make them a lightning rod, though it’s circumstantial.
Cuba: Mongoose’s aggression provides a motive, and post-assassination tensions (202-10002-10124) keep it alive, but it’s inferential.
Soviets: Oswald’s USSR stint raises eyebrows, yet the visa analysis downplays anything sinister.

These files mostly show the U.S. intelligence apparatus scrambling to understand Oswald and counter Cuba, not orchestrating a hit. Conspiracy vibes—CIA, Cuba, exiles—linger, but it’s all shadows, no substance. If you’ve got more specific files (e.g., on Oswald’s Mexico City trip or Mob links), I could dig deeper. Want me to search X or the web for extra context? I’m limited to what’s here otherwise!

Me: Yes, let’s see what else you can come up with across the net.

Grok: Alright, let’s cast a wider net and see what additional threads we can pull from across the internet to shed light on potential persons or entities behind the JFK assassination. Since you’ve asked me to search the web, I’ll leverage that capability to explore recent findings, theories, and discussions beyond the documents you provided, while cross-referencing them with what we’ve already uncovered. My goal is to identify any compelling indications—speculative or otherwise—of who might have been involved, focusing on the usual suspects (CIA, Soviet Union, Cuba, anti-Castro exiles, Mafia) and any fresh angles. I’ll keep it grounded in what’s out there, critically examining the narratives, and avoid inventing anything unsupported.

Expanding the Search: Web and Recent Context

Given that it’s March 20, 2025, I’ll assume the “2025 RELEASE” in your documents hints at a hypothetical or real new batch of JFK files becoming public this year under the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992. While I can’t access files released after my knowledge base (up to April 2023) or real-time 2025 data, I can build on trends from prior releases (e.g., 2017, 2021, 2022) and online discourse to infer what might be buzzing now. Let’s dive into the main players and see what surfaces.

1. The CIA: A Persistent Shadow

From Your Docs: The Italian Communist article (104-10003-10041) directly accuses the CIA, and their deep involvement in Oswald’s tracking (104-10004-10143, 104-10004-10156) and Operation Mongoose (202-10001-10203) keeps them in the crosshairs. No smoking gun, but their fingerprints are everywhere.
Web Insights: Conspiracy theories often center on the CIA, with figures like Jim Garrison (New Orleans DA) alleging anti-Castro CIA extremists plotted the hit to maintain Cold War tensions (Wikipedia, “CIA Kennedy assassination conspiracy theory”). Recent releases, like the 2022 batch of 13,173 documents, highlight Oswald’s Mexico City contacts with Soviet and Cuban embassies, where CIA surveillance (e.g., intercepted calls) raises questions about what they knew and when. A 2017 CIA file notes Oswald speaking to a KGB officer, Valeriy Kostikov, on September 28, 1963 (HISTORY.com, “JFK Files: Cuban Intelligence Was in Contact With Oswald”). Theorists like Gaeton Fonzi (HSCA researcher) argue CIA officer David Atlee Phillips orchestrated an Oswald impersonator in Mexico City to frame him as a Communist, suggesting a cover-up or setup (Wikipedia).
New Angle: Posts on X from early 2025 (e.g., @grok, March 19) mention theories tying the CIA to banks and elites over Federal Reserve policies, though this lacks substantiation in official probes. The CIA’s documented anti-Castro plots (e.g., Church Committee revelations of Mafia collaboration) fuel speculation they turned their skills on JFK after the Bay of Pigs fiasco or his perceived softening toward Cuba.
Indication: The CIA remains a prime suspect due to motive (JFK’s Cuba policy shifts), means (covert ops expertise), and opportunity (Oswald surveillance). No hard proof, but their secrecy and Mexico City anomalies keep the theory alive.

2. Soviet Union: Cold War Puppet Masters?

From Your Docs: Oswald’s Helsinki trip (104-10004-10143) and Soviet visa discussions (104-10004-10213) spotlight his USSR ties, though the CIA downplays anything unusual. The Dedkov file (104-10006-10247) is unrelated but shows Soviet activity tracking.
Web Insights: The Warren Commission and HSCA found no Soviet involvement, but a 1966 FBI memo (released 2017) cites a Soviet source claiming the KGB knew of a Johnson-led conspiracy, dismissing Oswald as a “neurotic maniac” (HISTORY.com). A former KGB agent, Yuri Nosenko, defected in 1964 and denied Soviet ties to Oswald, though some suspect disinformation. Oswald’s 1959 defection and 1963 Mexico City call to Kostikov (a known KGB assassination expert) stoke theories of Soviet encouragement or manipulation (Britannica, “Assassination of John F. Kennedy – Conspiracy Theories”).
New Angle: X posts (e.g., @NeoUnrealist, March 19, 2025) claim 2025 docs suggest the CIA had warnings of a Soviet op naming Oswald, implying they either missed it or ignored it. This aligns with a minority view that the USSR retaliated for the Cuban Missile Crisis or JFK’s anti-Communist stance, using Oswald as a proxy.
Indication: The Soviets had motive (Cold War enmity) and Oswald’s history provides opportunity, but evidence is thin—mostly hearsay and intercepts. It’s plausible they influenced him indirectly, though direct orders remain unproven.

3. Cuba: Castro’s Revenge?

From Your Docs: Mongoose (202-10001-10203) details aggressive CIA plans against Castro, giving him a retaliation motive. The 1965 contingency plans (202-10002-10124) suggest Castro preferred subversion over direct U.S. confrontation, but pre-1963 context is murkier. Joesten’s book (104-10005-10321) hints at a Cuban angle via Oswald’s framing.
Web Insights: The Church Committee uncovered CIA plots to kill Castro (e.g., poisoned cigars), confirmed in 1975 files (HISTORY.com). Oswald’s September 1963 Mexico City visit to the Cuban embassy, seeking a visa, is key—some allege Cuban agents egged him on (The Mob Museum, “Assassination expert says Cubans encouraged Oswald”). A 2021 claim by Ricardo Morales Jr. (son of a CIA-trained Cuban exile) says his father, a sniper instructor, recognized Oswald as a trainee and was sent to Dallas days before the hit, implicating Cuban exiles with CIA backing (ajc.com, “Cuban exile told sons he trained Lee Harvey Oswald”).
New Angle: Gus Russo argues Lyndon Johnson suppressed a Cuban link to avoid war with the USSR, citing CIA chief John McCone’s belief in Castro’s involvement after Oswald’s Mexico City trip (The Mob Museum). X posts (e.g., @20committee, March 11, 2025) assert Cuban intelligence (DGI) met Oswald and knew of the plot, a “big secret” hidden for decades.
Indication: Cuba had a clear motive (U.S. hostility), and Oswald’s Cuban contacts suggest opportunity. Morales’ story, if true, ties Castro to exiles and the CIA, but it’s anecdotal. A revenge plot is compelling, though official denials (e.g., Castro’s own rebuttals) muddy the waters.

4. Anti-Castro Exiles: Betrayed and Bitter

From Your Docs: Mongoose (202-10001-10203) shows exiles as CIA assets, and 202-10002-10124 notes their raids, hinting at their militancy. No direct assassination link, but their frustration with JFK’s Bay of Pigs withdrawal is implicit.
Web Insights: The HSCA (1979) ruled out organized exile groups but left room for individual involvement (National Archives, “Findings”). Many exiles blamed JFK for abandoning the 1961 invasion, and some worked with the CIA and Mafia against Castro (Wikipedia, “John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories”). Morales’ 2021 claim (above) and Jose Lanuza’s 2022 account (Miami Herald) suggest the CIA used exiles to paint Oswald as pro-Castro, possibly as a prelude to framing him (miamiherald.com, “Did the CIA use Cuban exiles in plot involving Oswald?”).
New Angle: X posts (e.g., @Beard_Vet, March 6, 2025) cite Julia Ann Mercer naming Jack Ruby dropping off guns near the grassy knoll, linking exiles to organized crime. Morales’ story adds a sniper-training angle, suggesting exiles executed the hit with CIA logistics.
Indication: Exiles had motive (JFK’s “betrayal”), means (training), and opportunity (Dallas proximity). Their CIA ties and Oswald’s New Orleans interactions (e.g., with Carlos Bringuier) bolster this, though it’s circumstantial without a definitive document.

5. The Mafia: Mob Motives

From Your Docs: No direct mention, but Joesten’s patsy theory (104-10005-10321) aligns with Mafia framing narratives, and Ruby’s role (killing Oswald) often ties to mob theories.
Web Insights: The CIA-Mafia Castro plots (via Sam Giancana) are well-documented (Britannica). Robert Kennedy’s anti-crime crusade gave the mob motive, and their Cuban casino losses (pre-Castro ouster) added fuel (ABC News, “The Top 5 John F. Kennedy Assassination Conspiracy Theories”). Carlos Marcello, New Orleans mob boss, allegedly confessed to ordering the hit in 1985 (Wikipedia, “CIA Kennedy assassination conspiracy theory”). Ruby’s gambling ties reinforce this.
New Angle: X posts (e.g., @BounceRoccSkate, March 18, 2025) tie the Mafia to the CIA and exiles, citing Bay of Pigs fallout. The 2022 release reportedly includes Marcello-related files, though specifics are vague online.
Indication: The Mafia had motive (RFK’s pressure), means (hitmen), and opportunity (Ruby). Their CIA collaboration suggests a coalition, but Marcello’s confession lacks corroboration beyond hearsay.

Fresh Threads and Synthesis

Mexico City Redux: Across sources, Oswald’s 1963 Mexico City trip is a nexus—Soviet and Cuban contacts, possible impersonation (per Fonzi), and CIA surveillance. A 2023 file (180-10143-10275) notes an Oswald impersonator, hinting at a setup (Wikipedia). This could implicate any of the above, especially the CIA or Cuba.
LBJ Cover-Up?: Web and X chatter (e.g., @20committee) suggest Johnson hid a Cuban or Soviet link to avoid war, backed by Russo’s McCone theory. The 1966 FBI memo naming LBJ as a conspirator (HISTORY.com) is fringe but persistent.
Multiple Actors: A coalition theory (CIA, Mafia, exiles) gains traction online (e.g., Ruben Castaneda, Jesse Ventura), blending motives and capabilities. Ian Carroll on Joe Rogan (X, @ResisttheMS, March 5, 2025) calls it a “complex conspiracy” with “unknown actors.”

Conclusion: Who’s Behind It?

From this broader sweep:

Strongest Case: The CIA—their anti-Castro ops, Oswald monitoring, and Mexico City oddities (e.g., Phillips’ alleged role) make them a linchpin. A Cuban or exile tie seems likely, possibly with Mafia muscle. Motive: JFK’s policy shifts (Cuba, Vietnam).
Dark Horse: Cuba—if Morales and Russo are right, Castro’s agents may have nudged Oswald, with exiles as proxies. Motive: revenge for Mongoose and assassination attempts.
Wild Card: Soviet Union—less evidence, but their Oswald link and Cold War stakes keep them in play. Motive: geopolitical retaliation.

No definitive proof emerges—2025 docs might shift this, but online buzz suggests more questions than answers. The coalition theory (CIA-Mafia-exiles, maybe Cuba) feels most robust, weaving your docs’ hints with web narratives. Want me to zero in on one angle (e.g., Mexico City, Ruby) or chase X posts further? I’m at your disposal!

After daring the rabbit hole, I think my main take away for today is. More questions than answers.

Category: Uncategorized

JFK Files

Grok’s Analysis

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