Fresh controversy has erupted in Washington after explosive allegations surfaced claiming that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) seized classified files related to the assassination of former US President John F. Kennedy and the infamous MKUltra programme from the office of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The claims, which quickly spread across social media and conservative news platforms, were later publicly denied by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), intensifying an already heated political debate surrounding government secrecy, intelligence oversight, and long-awaited declassification efforts.
Fox News Segment Fuels Explosive Allegations
The controversy gained traction after a discussion aired on Fox News alleged that CIA agents had entered Gabbard’s office and removed dozens of boxes containing sensitive files connected to the JFK assassination and MKUltra — the Cold War-era CIA programme linked to alleged mind-control and human experimentation operations.
During the segment, one speaker claimed:
“Agents hauled out dozens of boxes, files on the JFK assassination and MK-Ultra, the CIA mind control operation, which she was in the process of declassifying.”
The discussion further referenced testimony allegedly given by whistleblower James Erdman III before the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Erdman, identified as a senior CIA operations officer, reportedly claimed that the files were being prepared for public release before the CIA intervened and seized them.
According to the allegations, approximately 40 boxes of classified records were removed from the DNI office on May 13, 2026, allegedly containing material linked to historic assassinations, covert operations, and controversial human experimentation projects.
ODNI Denies CIA Raid Claims
Despite the sensational allegations, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence swiftly rejected the claims.
Olivia Coleman, spokesperson for the DNI, directly denied the reports in a post on X, stating:
“This is false — the CIA did not raid the DNI’s office.”
The CIA itself, currently headed by John Ratcliffe, has not yet issued a detailed public statement responding to the broader accusations surrounding the alleged document seizure.
The denial has done little to calm political tensions, with critics demanding clarification regarding whether any intelligence-related transfer of records took place behind closed doors.
Anna Paulina Luna Threatens Subpoenas and Contempt Hearings
The controversy escalated further after Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna publicly threatened legal action against the CIA if the alleged files were not returned within 24 hours.
Luna, who chairs the House Oversight Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, claimed Congress had formally requested the records as part of ongoing investigations into the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr..
Speaking to NewsNation and other outlets, Luna questioned whether the CIA had acted in direct violation of presidential declassification orders.
“Who the hell thinks they have the authority to defy an executive order?” Luna asked.
She further warned that failure to comply could result in subpoenas, contempt proceedings, and expanded congressional hearings targeting intelligence officials.
In a separate statement, Luna emphasized that the documents were under congressional review and should remain under the authority of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
MKUltra Programme Returns to Public Spotlight
The allegations have once again drawn attention to MKUltra, one of the most controversial covert programmes in CIA history.
The programme, launched during the Cold War, allegedly involved experiments on both willing and unwilling participants using LSD, psychological conditioning, hypnosis, and other forms of mind-control research. Public outrage over the programme intensified after investigations by the 1975 Church Committee uncovered evidence of unethical experimentation conducted by US intelligence agencies.
During the Fox News discussion, speakers claimed that former CIA Director William Colby had ordered the destruction of roughly 85 percent of MKUltra-related records decades ago.
According to those claims, the remaining files represent one of the few surviving collections of documents tied to the controversial programme.
“The American people have a right to know what is in these files,” one speaker argued during the broadcast.
Renewed Push for Transparency
The incident has reignited long-standing public skepticism surrounding intelligence agencies and government transparency in the United States. Calls for the complete declassification of JFK-related documents have persisted for decades, with many Americans believing key information remains hidden from the public.
Supporters of declassification argue that full disclosure is necessary to restore public trust and address unanswered questions surrounding major historical events and covert government programmes.
At present, however, no independent evidence has emerged confirming that the CIA physically raided Tulsi Gabbard’s office or confiscated files connected to JFK or MKUltra investigations.
With conflicting statements emerging from lawmakers, whistleblowers, and intelligence officials, the controversy is likely to remain a major flashpoint in Washington as demands for transparency continue to grow.