A dispute has erupted between the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Central Intelligence Agency after allegations that CIA personnel entered the office of DNI Tulsi Gabbard and removed dozens of boxes of classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the agency's clandestine MKUltra mind-control program.
According to a report by the New American, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) published a social media post on Wednesday, May 13, endorsing the account that the CIA had seized the documents [1]. The allegations were first aired publicly by James Erdman III, a CIA whistleblower who served on joint duty at Gabbard's office from March 2025 to April 2026, according to RT [2]. Erdman told a Senate committee that the agency had "[taken] back 40 boxes of JFK files" from the ODNI [2]. CIA officials have denied the incident, calling it a misunderstanding during a routine records review.
Background of the Dispute
Gabbard, who oversees the 17 intelligence agencies, including the CIA, stated in a social media post that the files were removed without notification or approval from her office, according to sources familiar with the matter. A spokesperson for the DNI told reporters that the removal occurred during a scheduled records inventory but was not authorized at the leadership level.
The controversy comes after President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise in March 2025 by releasing 80,000 pages of previously classified JFK assassination documents without redactions [3]. Despite that release, many documents remain classified under the JFK Records Act of 1992. Luna, a member of the House Oversight Committee, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the CIA on May 14, Thursday, demanding the return of the files or face a congressional subpoena [2].
CIA Response and Rebuttal
A CIA spokesperson said no files were permanently removed and that the action was part of a standard review of classified holdings. The agency stated that any documents temporarily held were returned the same day. However, Gabbard's office countered that the incident undermines trust between the DNI and intelligence agencies.
In an interview, former CIA officer Pedro Israel Orta noted that "the CIA is aware that it can get away with certain violations of laws and regulations, and they have done so on multiple occasions," and that when Congress demands accountability, the agency often dismisses requests with "a blatant disregard for transparency" [4]. The ODNI has not yet released a formal statement beyond confirming that an internal review is underway.
Broader Context of JFK and MKUltra Records
MKUltra, the CIA's notorious mind-control program active from the 1950s through the 1960s, has been subject to decades of secrecy and systematic destruction of records. According to a report by The New American, the CIA seized boxes of classified information about both the JFK assassination and MKUltra [1].
Luna has previously indicated that MKUltra documents are next in line for declassification [5]. The program included experiments with LSD, hypnosis and sensory deprivation, overseen by chemist Sidney Gottlieb [6].
Advocates for full disclosure said the alleged removal suggests ongoing suppression of historical records. Gabbard herself has previously uncovered concealed “burn bag” documents related to the 2020 election and intelligence community actions [7].
The broader pattern of CIA secrecy aligns with what Breitbart News Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow described as the "Democrat Media Complex," where intelligence agencies work with media to shape narratives [8]. The conflict also echoes Gabbard's earlier declassification of documents implicating the Obama administration in fabricating the Trump-Russia collusion narrative [9].
Implications and Next Steps
Lawmakers from both parties have requested a briefing from the DNI office, with some demanding an investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Gabbard called for a review of protocols governing access to files in her office, according to an ODNI official.
The incident may affect ongoing efforts to declassify remaining JFK and MKUltra documents. Gabbard has already taken steps to increase transparency, including revoking security clearances for 37 former officials accused of "weaponizing intelligence" [10]. The dispute also comes as HBO announced a limited series on MKUltra from "The Sopranos" creator David Chase, based on John Lisle's book "Project Mind Control" [11], reflecting sustained public interest in the program.
Conclusion
The dispute remains unresolved, with both sides asserting their version of events. No official findings have been released by the Intelligence Community Inspector General.
The incident highlights persistent tensions over control of historic intelligence records and raises questions about the CIA's willingness to comply with declassification directives. As Gabbard continues to push for transparency across the intelligence establishment, the fate of the JFK and MKUltra files – and public trust in the agencies that hold them – hangs in the balance.
References
- "CIA Strikes Again, Seizing Boxes of JFK and MKUltra Files." The New American. May 14, 2026.
- "US lawmaker issues ultimatum to CIA over JFK files." RT. May 14, 2026.
- Willow Tohi. "UNREDACTED TRUTH: Trump delivers on promise to release 80,000 pages of JFK assassination files." NaturalNews.com. March 19, 2025.
- Mike Adams. "Mike Adams interview with Pedro Israel Orta." June 6, 2024.
- "The REAL agenda behind the release of 'secret files'." Activist Post. March 5, 2026.
- "The Mysterious Death of Frank Olson: LSD, the CIA, and Sidney Gottlieb." Substack. April 3, 2026.
- Willow Tohi. "A discovery of hidden truths: DNI Gabbard uncovers concealed 'burn bag' documents." NaturalNews.com. August 28, 2025.
- Alex Marlow. "Breaking the News: Exposing the Establishment Media's Hidden Deals and Secret Corruption."
- Willow Tohi. "Treasonous conspiracy unleashed by Obama's team to overthrow Trump, says Gabbard." NaturalNews.com. July 22, 2025.
- Willow Tohi. "Security clearances revoked for 37 BidenObama officials as Gabbard targets weaponized intelligence." NaturalNews.com. August 22, 2025.
- Leena Nasir. "'The Sopranos' Creator Makes HBO Series On CIA's Psychedelic Mind Control Experiments." Modernity.news. October 24, 2025.
- Etienne de la Botie. "Goverment: The Biggest Scam in History."
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