In a twist that’s sure to ignite fresh debate, newly released JFK assassination files are being interpreted by some as evidence of a “deep state” lurking behind the scenes of U.S. government operations. Renowned journalist Glenn Greenwald recently argued that these documents—specifically a 15-page memo by Arthur Schlesinger, President Kennedy’s top adviser—offer concrete proof that the Central Intelligence Agency once operated as a “state within a state.” This assertion challenges the view that the deep state is merely a fringe conspiracy theory pushed by figures like President Donald Trump.

Greenwald’s analysis centers on a chilling warning from 1961: Schlesinger’s memo not only criticized the CIA’s clandestine operations but also called for the agency’s disbandment. He wrote, “No one knows how many potential problems for U.S. foreign policy — and how much potential friction with friendly states — are being created at this moment by CIA clandestine intelligence operations.” For Greenwald, such candid language from the past demonstrates that the seeds of what we now call the “deep state” were sown long before recent political controversies.

With more than 63,000 pages of JFK-related records now released, including roughly 2,200 files posted by the U.S. National Archives, the historical narrative surrounding President Kennedy’s assassination is gaining new dimensions. President Trump, during a recent visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, announced plans to eventually release about 80,000 pages in total. “We have a tremendous amount of paper. You’ve got a lot of reading,” Trump remarked—underscoring that the full story may be more complex than previously imagined.In this extensive analysis, we delve into the historical context of Schlesinger’s memo, examine the evidence for the deep state lurking within the CIA, and explore the implications of these revelations on our understanding of the JFK assassination and U.S. national security. We also analyze Greenwald’s provocative claims, discuss the role of recent archival releases, and consider what these documents might mean for ongoing debates about government transparency and accountability.

I. Unmasking the “Deep State”: Historical Clues in the JFK Files
A. The Legacy of the CIA and the Seeds of Dissent
The Central Intelligence Agency has long been a subject of controversy. Established in the early years of the Cold War, the CIA was designed to be the United States’ eyes and ears in a hostile world. However, its secretive nature and controversial covert operations have fueled suspicions about its true role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. Over the decades, critics have warned that the agency’s power and autonomy could lead to unchecked influence—a “state within a state” that operates independently of elected officials.

Arthur Schlesinger’s 15-page memo from 1961 encapsulates this sentiment. Written at a time when tensions between traditional governance and covert operations were already palpable, the memo calls for the dismantling of the CIA. Schlesinger argued that the agency’s clandestine activities not only risked derailing U.S. foreign policy but also created friction with friendly nations. This early warning is seen by many as a precursor to the modern concept of the “deep state.”

B. Glenn Greenwald’s Bold Interpretation
Glenn Greenwald, renowned for his incisive journalism and willingness to challenge conventional narratives, has seized upon Schlesinger’s memo as evidence that the deep state is not a modern invention. In his recent commentary, Greenwald dismissed the notion that the deep state is merely a paranoid fantasy concocted by political figures like Trump. Instead, he pointed to the memo as a concrete historical document that confirms longstanding concerns about the CIA’s internal power and unchecked operations.

“Liberals spent years screeching that anyone talking about ‘the Deep State’ was spewing fringe conspiracy theories, as if Sean Hannity invented the term,” Greenwald wrote, referencing the heated debates on Fox News and other outlets. For him, the warnings issued by Schlesinger provide a compelling counterpoint to those who dismiss the idea of a deep state out of hand. The memo suggests that even during Kennedy’s time, there were serious concerns about the CIA’s influence and the potential for its operations to undermine democratic accountability.

C. The Deep State: A Definition Revisited
The term “deep state” has become a lightning rod for political controversy in recent years. Popularized by figures such as President Trump—who even proposed a 10-step plan to dismantle it—the concept implies the existence of a covert network of officials and influential operatives who control government policy from behind the scenes. While many dismiss it as a baseless conspiracy theory, historical documents like Schlesinger’s memo lend weight to the idea that the seeds of such a power structure were sown long ago.

Schlesinger’s characterization of the CIA as a “state within a state” is particularly striking. It reflects a genuine concern that the agency was operating with too much autonomy, without sufficient oversight from democratic institutions. This perspective is not merely academic—it has profound implications for how we understand the balance of power in the U.S. government and the transparency of its operations.

II. The JFK Files: A Treasure Trove of Historical Revelations
A. The Recent Archival Releases
In a move that has captivated historians, journalists, and conspiracy theorists alike, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration recently released over 63,000 pages of documents related to the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. Among these are roughly 2,200 files that provide new insights into the complex web of events surrounding that fateful day.

President Trump announced that his administration intends to release approximately 80,000 pages in total, promising that the vast trove of documents would offer unprecedented detail about the assassination and its aftermath. While much of this material had been made public over the years, the new files include documents that have not been scrutinized until now—and some contain intriguing references to concerns about CIA operations and covert activities.

B. Uncovering Schlesinger’s Memo
One of the most significant documents among the new releases is the 15-page memo by Arthur Schlesinger. Issued in 1961, this memo contains a stark warning about the potential dangers posed by the CIA’s clandestine operations. Schlesinger argued that the agency was generating problems for U.S. foreign policy and creating friction with allied nations. His call for the disbandment of the CIA, though controversial at the time, is now being revisited by those who believe that the agency’s unchecked power laid the groundwork for what we now refer to as the “deep state.”

The memo’s explicit language—warning that no one could foresee the “potential friction with friendly states” and describing the CIA as an entity operating outside the usual bounds of governmental oversight—has been seized upon by journalists like Greenwald as compelling evidence that the deep state is rooted in historical reality. This perspective challenges the view that the concept is simply a modern political ploy.

C. Implications for the JFK Assassination Theories
The release of these files has inevitably rekindled discussions and conspiracy theories surrounding the JFK assassination. For decades, theories have abounded that the CIA either orchestrated Kennedy’s murder or knowingly ignored warning signs when he considered dismantling the agency. Schlesinger’s memo, with its unvarnished critique of the CIA, has become a focal point in these debates.

While definitive proof of any conspiracy remains elusive, the memo serves as a reminder that even at the height of the Cold War, there were significant internal disagreements about the role of intelligence agencies in shaping national policy. Whether one views these concerns as evidence of a covert “deep state” or as isolated criticisms that were later resolved, they undeniably add complexity to our understanding of the JFK assassination and its historical context.

III. The Deep State Debate: Conspiracy or Historical Reality?
A. Proponents’ Arguments: Evidence from the Past
Proponents of the deep state theory argue that the newly released JFK files provide concrete evidence that secretive, influential networks have long operated behind the scenes of U.S. government. For them, Schlesinger’s memo is not an isolated document but part of a broader pattern of concerns about the CIA’s operations. They point to:

Historical Warnings: The fact that a high-ranking adviser like Arthur Schlesinger felt compelled to call for the disbandment of the CIA speaks volumes about the perceived dangers of unchecked intelligence operations.

Consistency with Modern Claims: The language used in the memo—describing the CIA as a “state within a state”—mirrors modern descriptions of the deep state. For those who believe that secret networks continue to influence government policy, this historical document is a validation of their views.