Another 207 pdfs were posted at NARA today (04-03-2025). This is the fifth batch of records posted this year, for an overall total of 2566 pdfs in 2025. Today’s pdfs were all NSA records. This is news, don’t miss the full story below!
NSA records in the ARC
NSA records have a checkered history in the ARC. The main reason: they are completely absent from the JFK database.
NSA is not alone: there are several departments and agencies which share this dubious status, including the Secret Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the National Security Council.
The reason: to be included in the JFK database, records must have a reader information form (RIF). NARA developed an elaborate system for departments and agencies to fill out these forms, then send them back to NARA, using that marvel of the 1990s, floppy disks.
Unfortunately, large numbers of the disks which agencies provided NARA were damaged or corrupted, making it impossible to upload their data into the JFK database. Most of these records do have paper RIFs attached to the top of the record, so the info is there. It just isn’t available in electronic form to upload to the database.
I believe, however, that NARA has a backup system which contains the most basic info they need: record number and record status. This system is not publicly available.
Never mind. Looking at the NSA record numbers themselves, there must have been at least 378, since the last record number is 144-10001-10378. The first 3 numbers are the agency prefix, the next five numbers tell you the disk number, here only one disk, and the last five numbers tell you which record on the disk this is.
At any rate, despite the gap in the JFK database, NARA is processing these docs.
The 2025 posts
I estimated in February that there were 207 NSA records that still had redactions. This release demonstrates that my count was pretty damn accurate, thank you. 207 records is a lot, since there weren’t that many NSA records to begin with. Thumbing my abacus, I calculate over half of the NSA records had redactions.
Yet the NSA docs posted in batch 5 are completely unredacted. This is a striking result, see below for why I say that.
The relatively late release of these records catches my attention. Was there a last minute, unsuccessful attempt to get President Trump to reconsider the release of some NSA records? Perhaps I’m over-reading the timing here.
DOD redaction requests
The redactions in NSA records are different from most other records, occurring usually in the headers and titles of the reports. These, we now know, tell us where NSA got these intercepts and how they classify this traffic. This is naturally sensitive stuff.
I have to say, however, that the descriptions in DOD postponement documents give me pause. For example, DOD requested redactions in 144-10001-10276 because it is “foreign government information.” Which Western-bloc embassy in Cuba was monitoring Cuban radio traffic? Ditto for 144-10001-10280, also foreign government information.
What about 144-10001-10305, where pages one and two yet again reveal foreign government information? This is, of course, foreign government information of different sort, since these two pages deal with a cable to Paris from Pierre Sebilleau, French ambassador to Syria in 1963.
Then there is 144-10001-10320, where the foreign government information is a cable from Enrico Aillaud in Warsaw, reporting to Rome on the Polish reaction to Kennedy’s death.
Apparently we no longer need to worry about British, French, or Italian reaction to such snooping. Nor do we need to worry about information that “identifies current targets”, “identifies current intelligence sources”, or “reveals sigint capabilities”. Imagine my relief.
Assassination relevant?
Is there Kennedy relevant information in the NSA records? Yes indeed, more than one of these records record foreign government reactions to the death of JFK. Others records are Cuba oriented, others Russian.
Larry Haapanen points out to me that 144-10001-10270 is a startling Cuban message which seems to refer to an attempt to kill “JFK and sis” in March 1963! Why did the Cubans want to kill Rosemary Kennedy?? Can’t get more relevant that that!
On the other hand, 144-10001-10159 refers to Cuban plotting to kill anti-Castro Cuban Antonio Veciana, and attack an American oil refinery into the bargain.
Larry has a profound knowledge of many aspects of the assassination, especially military aspects. Big hat tip for his comments on this release!
Two cents
I did not expect to see a complete release of all NSA records. Not at all. Oh ye of little faith …
The goal of total release of all Section 5 records in the ARC is within reach. I will soon post a note on exactly how many records are left redacted in the Collection.
On the other hand, income tax returns, court sealed records, grand jury information, and donor restrictions on gifts to NARA still apply. Unless the JFK Act is amended, such texts will be held back indefinitely.