MLK’s family fear new batch of assassination files will have FBI ‘smears’

Family of Martin Luther King Jr says Trump mandate could revive J Edgar Hoover's efforts to discredit revered activist

The family of Martin Luther King Jr has expressed concern over Donald Trump's executive order to release records surrounding the civil rights leader's assassination, saying the president's mandate could revive efforts to discredit the revered activist with the public.

Speaking to Axios, a friend of the King family said: We know J Edgar Hoover tried to destroy Dr King's legacy, and the family doesn't want that effort to prevail," referring to the late former FBI director and his agency's years-long surveillance of King as well his associates.