Donald Trump has announced he intends to allow the release of the "long blocked and classified" files on the John F Kennedy (JFK) assassination.
The announcement, made against the advice of the National Security Council, has prompted claims the President is seeking to distract from a series of negative stories.
The declaration was made on Twitter, with the President saying: "Subject to the receipt of further information, I will be allowing, as President, the long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened."
The decision was met with a mixed response.
"This is enough to distract from Trump's lies, investigations, and incompetence," said socioogist Dr DaShanne Stokes. "Of course Trump will allow it."
Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, said the release: "Will prove I was NOT involved and ending rumors and speculation. I was in the 3rd grade."
Security officials reportedly fear some documents compiled in the 1990s could contain information on more recent intelligence operations.
Mr Trump's language suggested the move could still be blocked but the public announcement has heightened anticipation of releasing the files.
The Kennedy assassination documents are due to be released by the National Archives on October 26 but it was reported Mr Trump would not allow them to be made public.
The President is the only person in government with the authority to block the documents' publication.
The 1963 killing of Kennedy shocked the world and has long been shrouded in controversy and conspiracy theories - many people believe there was a second gunman.
Alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was shot dead by gunman Jack Ruby before he could be tried.
The release of the documents will be welcomed by some experts.
"The American public deserves to know the facts, or at least they deserve to know what the government has kept hidden from them for all these years," Professor Larry Sabato, a political scientist and author of a book about Kennedy, told The Associated Press last month.
"It's long past the time to be forthcoming with this information," he added.
During last year's election campaign, Mr Trump used a conspiracy theory about the assassination to attack his rival, Ted Cruz.
Referencing a story run by National Enquirer which linked Mr Cruz's father, Rafael Cruz, and Oswald, Mr Trump told Fox News: “His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being - you know, shot.
"I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous .. What is this, right prior to his being shot, and nobody even brings it up. They don't even talk about that. That was reported, and nobody talks about it.“
“I mean, what was he doing - what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the death? Before the shooting?" It's horrible."
Mr Cruz immediately dismissed the claim as "garbage".
Experts believe than even the full publication of the documents is unlikely to quell the extensive conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination.
The announcement, made against the advice of the National Security Council, has prompted claims the President is seeking to distract from a series of negative stories.
The declaration was made on Twitter, with the President saying: "Subject to the receipt of further information, I will be allowing, as President, the long blocked and classified JFK FILES to be opened."
The decision was met with a mixed response.
"This is enough to distract from Trump's lies, investigations, and incompetence," said socioogist Dr DaShanne Stokes. "Of course Trump will allow it."
Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, said the release: "Will prove I was NOT involved and ending rumors and speculation. I was in the 3rd grade."
Security officials reportedly fear some documents compiled in the 1990s could contain information on more recent intelligence operations.
Mr Trump's language suggested the move could still be blocked but the public announcement has heightened anticipation of releasing the files.
The Kennedy assassination documents are due to be released by the National Archives on October 26 but it was reported Mr Trump would not allow them to be made public.
The President is the only person in government with the authority to block the documents' publication.
The 1963 killing of Kennedy shocked the world and has long been shrouded in controversy and conspiracy theories - many people believe there was a second gunman.
Alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was shot dead by gunman Jack Ruby before he could be tried.
The release of the documents will be welcomed by some experts.
"The American public deserves to know the facts, or at least they deserve to know what the government has kept hidden from them for all these years," Professor Larry Sabato, a political scientist and author of a book about Kennedy, told The Associated Press last month.
"It's long past the time to be forthcoming with this information," he added.
During last year's election campaign, Mr Trump used a conspiracy theory about the assassination to attack his rival, Ted Cruz.
Referencing a story run by National Enquirer which linked Mr Cruz's father, Rafael Cruz, and Oswald, Mr Trump told Fox News: “His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being - you know, shot.
"I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous .. What is this, right prior to his being shot, and nobody even brings it up. They don't even talk about that. That was reported, and nobody talks about it.“
“I mean, what was he doing - what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the death? Before the shooting?" It's horrible."
Mr Cruz immediately dismissed the claim as "garbage".
Experts believe than even the full publication of the documents is unlikely to quell the extensive conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination.