The House Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, chaired by Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), has scheduled a hearing to address the ongoing issue of sealed and redacted records related to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The hearing, titled “Declassified MLK Records: What They Reveal and Why They Matter,” will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. EST in HVC-210 at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center.
Members of the task force plan to review why certain documents about Dr. King remain inaccessible and whether current declassification standards meet public expectations for transparency. The discussion will also cover how restricted access to these records may have contributed to conspiracy theories and affected public trust in government institutions. Another topic will be whether the National Archives has adequate resources for digitizing and sharing historical records responsibly.
Task Force Chairwoman Luna stated: “The American people deserve truth and transparency about pivotal events that have shaped our nation’s history, but the federal government has often blocked important records from being unsealed. While significant records related to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have been released, substantial redactions persist, causing Americans to question the balance between the records’ accessibility, privacy, and national security. I look forward to hearing from witnesses on what Congress can do to help the government restore Americans’ trust, promote good record-keeping, and put conspiracy theories about Dr. King’s death to rest.”
Witnesses scheduled for the hearing include Dr. Alveda King, Chair of American Dream at America First Policy Institute; and Mr. Stuart Wexler, an author and investigative researcher.
The event is open to the public and will be livestreamed online.
