The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, remains one of the most debated and controversial events in American history. The circumstances surrounding JFK’s murder have given rise to numerous theories, each attempting to explain the complex web of events and motivations behind the tragedy. Now an ex secret service agent, who was at the scene has come forward with an admission that could yet again challenge the official version.
22nd November 1963
Who shot Kennedy?
I. The Official Account: Lee Harvey Oswald as the Lone Assassin
The official account of JFK’s assassination, as presented by the Warren Commission, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing the president. According to this theory, Oswald fired three shots from the Texas School Book Depository, with one bullet striking both JFK and Texas Governor John Connally, thus accounting for the injuries to both men. This explanation became known as the “single-bullet theory.” The commission found no evidence of a conspiracy involving other individuals or groups.
II. The Mafia Connection
One of the earliest and most persistent conspiracy theories posits that organised crime, particularly the Mafia, was involved in JFK’s assassination. Proponents of this theory argue that the Kennedy administration’s crackdown on the Mafia, led by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, angered powerful crime figures. Some claim that the mob saw JFK as a threat to their interests and orchestrated his murder in retaliation. However, concrete evidence linking the Mafia to the assassination remains elusive.
III. The CIA and Anti-Castro Cubans
Another theory implicates the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and anti-Castro Cubans in the assassination. It suggests that JFK’s handling of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis created enemies within these groups. Some theorists argue that the CIA, with potential ties to anti-Castro Cubans, may have conspired to eliminate JFK due to his perceived weakness on the issue of communism in Cuba. While there is circumstantial evidence of CIA involvement, no conclusive proof has emerged.
IV. The Military-Industrial Complex
This theory posits that elements within the military-industrial complex, disturbed by JFK’s foreign policy decisions and his reluctance to escalate the Vietnam War, may have played a role in his assassination. Some believe that powerful military figures saw JFK as a threat to their interests and sought to remove him from office. However, concrete evidence linking the military-industrial complex to the assassination is speculative at best.
V. Multiple Shooters and the Grassy Knoll
A widely held theory suggests that there were multiple shooters involved in JFK’s assassination. Many witnesses claimed to have heard shots coming from the “grassy knoll” near Dealey Plaza, in addition to shots from the Texas School Book Depository. Some theorists argue that this suggests a broader conspiracy involving multiple gunmen. The presence of “acoustic evidence” has further fuelled this theory, although experts disagree on its significance.
VI. The “Deep State” and Government Involvement
A more recent and complex theory posits that a “deep state” or shadowy elements within the U.S. government orchestrated JFK’s assassination. This theory contends that JFK’s attempts to curtail the power of intelligence agencies and his push for detente with the Soviet Union angered powerful, entrenched interests within the government. Some proponents even suggest involvement by factions within the FBI, Secret Service, or other government agencies.
Why was JFK’s limo open topped?
JFK travelled in an open top limo, reportedly because his political ratings in Texas at the time were mixed and he wanted to be closer to the people.
At the time of his assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy’s political ratings in Texas were somewhat mixed. Texas had played a pivotal role in his 1960 presidential campaign, as he narrowly won the state’s electoral votes, thanks in part to the efforts of his vice-presidential running mate, Lyndon B. Johnson, who hailed from Texas. However, Kennedy’s approval ratings in Texas fluctuated during his presidency.
Here are some key points about Kennedy’s political ratings in Texas leading up to his assassination:
- Kennedy’s 1960 Victory: In the 1960 presidential election, Kennedy won Texas by a narrow margin of about 46,000 votes, securing the state’s 24 electoral votes. This was a significant victory for him, as Texas had traditionally been a stronghold for the Democratic Party.
- Divisions within Texas: Texas was politically divided during Kennedy’s presidency. While he had strong support in urban areas like Dallas and Austin, he faced opposition in more conservative and rural parts of the state. Kennedy’s policies, particularly on civil rights, were a source of contention in Texas.
- Unfavourable Reception: Kennedy’s visit to Texas in November 1963 was not without its challenges. He faced protests and opposition in some cities, including Dallas, where some conservative factions viewed him unfavourably. Anti-Kennedy sentiments were not universal in Texas, but they were present.
- Lyndon B. Johnson’s Influence: Kennedy’s relationship with Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Texan, was crucial in maintaining Democratic support in the state. Johnson’s political machinery and connections in Texas were instrumental in securing the state for the Democratic ticket in 1960.
New revelations
The conventional ‘magic bullet’ theory, which posits that a solitary bullet was responsible for John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the injury of another individual, faces renewed scrutiny following revelations from a former Secret Service agent.
Paul Landis, currently 88 years old, had been in close proximity to President Kennedy on the fateful day of November 22, 1963. On that day, as the motorcade, which also carried First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally Jr., and his wife, passed through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, a series of gunshots rang out. Tragically, Mr. Kennedy was struck in the head and neck, and Governor Connally was hit in the back.
For decades, and in the aftermath of the Warren Commission’s government inquiry into the incident, it had been concluded that one of the bullets had struck the president from behind, exited from the front of his throat, and then hit Governor Connally. This theory became widely known as the ‘magic bullet theory.’ One piece of evidence supporting this conclusion was the discovery of a bullet on Governor Connally Jr.’s stretcher upon his arrival at Parkland Memorial Hospital following the shooting.
This theory, which suggested that a single bullet could cause such extensive damage and ultimately led to the conviction of Lee Harvey Oswald, has been a source of speculation and conspiracy theories for over six decades.
Mr. Landis has now come forward with an account that challenges the findings of the Warren Commission. He claims to have found a bullet lodged in the back of the seat of the presidential limousine, where President Kennedy was seated, after the motorcade arrived at the hospital. According to Mr. Landis, he noticed the bullet and placed it on the stretcher carrying the president. He speculates that the bullet may have shifted from one stretcher to the other when Mr. Kennedy’s and Governor Connally’s stretchers somehow came into contact.
Mr. Landis emphasised the significance of this discovery, stating, “It was a piece of evidence that I realised right away was very important. And I didn’t want it to disappear or get lost.”
While Mr. Landis has detailed his account in his forthcoming memoir, titled “The Final Witness,” he has refrained from making definitive claims regarding the broader implications of his memories. In an interview with The New York Times, he expressed uncertainty, stating, “At this point, I’m beginning to doubt myself. Now I begin to wonder,” without confirming whether he believes there was more than one bullet or gunman involved.
Mr. Landis theorises that the bullet that struck Mr. Kennedy in the back but fell out before the president’s body was removed from the limousine may not have penetrated deeply enough to also hit Governor Connally.
James Robenalt, a Cleveland lawyer and author with extensive research on the assassination, has assisted Mr. Landis in processing his memories. Robenalt suggests that if the bullet we commonly refer to as the ‘magic’ or ‘pristine’ bullet stopped in President Kennedy’s back, it could challenge the central thesis of the Warren Report—the single-bullet theory. Robenalt further posits that if Governor Connally was indeed hit by a separate bullet, it raises questions about whether Oswald could have reloaded a firearm quickly enough to fire another shot.
Rather than providing clarity, Mr. Landis’ revelations have generated additional questions. Firstly, the account in his memoir differs from two written statements he submitted a week after the assassination, in which he claimed to have heard only two gunshots, not three, as reported by The New York Times. Secondly, his earlier statements did not mention entering the room where President Kennedy was taken at the hospital, despite the first lady going inside. Mr. Landis explained that he didn’t realise his memory contradicted his original account until 2014, and his reluctance to come forward was due to concerns that he may have made an error in placing the bullet on the stretcher. He admitted, “I was afraid. I started to think, did I do something wrong? There was a fear that I might have done something wrong and I shouldn’t talk about it.”
Increasingly, more and more people are suspicious of those who hold the reins of power. Also, increasingly, more and more people reject the lies and propaganda pumped out and want reality. Kennedy’s assassination appears to have been one of the roots of many saying, ‘I don’t believe them anymore’. For a democracy to be real, power must give reality to the people; otherwise, decision making at key democratic moments is built entirely on falsehoods.
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