Article By Frank Bergman
A major new clash has erupted inside the U.S. intelligence community after allegations surfaced that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) seized sensitive JFK assassination and MKUltra documents from the office of Director of National Intelligence (DNI)Tulsi Gabbard.
The accusations have triggered demands for document preservation, threats of subpoenas, and fresh scrutiny over long-secret intelligence programs that federal agencies have fought to keep hidden for decades.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), chairwoman of the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, publicly accused the CIA of taking boxes of records connected to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the infamous MKUltra mind-control program from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
The allegations come as President Donald Trump pushes a broader declassification effort involving the JFK, RFK, and MLK files.
Luna Says CIA Removed Documents Under ODNI Authority
Luna revealed the allegations in a statement, warning that Congress is now issuing a formal preservation notice over the disputed records.
“Given the nature of docs in question, we are sending a preservation notice,” Luna said.
“Docs need to be returned to ODNI given that ODNI was given direction and authority by the President to declass RFK, MLK, & JFK.”
She also confirmed the disputed materials included MKUltra records that had specifically been requested by her congressional task force as part of an ongoing federal investigation.
Luna and House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) later sent a formal letter to CIA Director John Ratcliffe demanding preservation of the records.
Given the nature of docs in question, we are sending a preservation notice. Docs need to be returned to ODNI given that ODNI was given direction and authority by the President to declass RFK, MLK, & JFK. Regarding MKULTRA, these were documents specifically requested by my Task… pic.twitter.com/uBnt5RqjDD
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) May 13, 2026
Luna warned that the CIA has been given a deadline to return the files.
The CIA has 24 hours to return the documents to Tulsi Gabbard’s office or else I will make a motion to issue a subpoena. These documents have been requested by Congress. @DNIGabbard @CIADirector https://t.co/Y5lMw8AYK5
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) May 13, 2026
Tulsi Gabbard’s Office Denies “Raid” But Not Removal of Documents
The controversy intensified after Luna stated during a televised interview that CIA officials had effectively marched into Gabbard’s office and removed boxes of records.
According to Luna, the records were tied to both the JFK assassination files and the CIA’s MKUltra program, the notorious Cold War-era operation involving drug experimentation, psychological manipulation, and alleged mind-control research.
WATCH:
The DNI’s press secretary, Olivia Coleman, denied reports of a “raid,” but notably did not explicitly deny that documents had been removed.
“This is false – the CIA did not raid the DNI’s office,” Coleman said.
This is false – the CIA did not raid the DNI’s office. https://t.co/vZOEqzeK4M
— Olivia Coleman (@DNIspox) May 14, 2026
Luna later clarified that the incident did not occur on Wednesday and was not technically a “raid,” but insisted the removal of documents did occur.
The CIA “Took documents that ODNI has jurisdiction over,” Luna wrote on X.
“Also, this did not happen today and was not a ‘raid.’
“However it did take place and we are just being made aware of it based on reporting etc.”
UPDATE on this and more on @KatiePavlichNN at 10 pm et on NewsNation. I just spoke to an Intelligence official who told me the following:
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 14, 2026
-The documents were not taken today and it was not a raid on DNI Gabbard's office
-People from the CIA took documents (related to the JFK… https://t.co/PF4jcBx6fc pic.twitter.com/wEIouQosIm
Intelligence Officials Allegedly Confirm Document Removal
Two intelligence community officials reportedly confirmed to The Daily Caller that CIA personnel removed JFK and MKUltra files that were being reviewed by Gabbard’s office for potential declassification.
The allegations have fueled renewed suspicion surrounding intelligence agencies’ decades-long resistance to releasing records tied to some of the most controversial operations in modern American history.
Questions surrounding the JFK assassination files have persisted for more than 60 years, while MKUltra remains one of the CIA’s most infamous covert programs.
MKUltra involved illegal experimentation using drugs, psychological torture, and behavioral conditioning techniques on unwitting subjects during the Cold War.
Whistleblower Testifies CIA Took Back “40 Boxes”
The controversy escalated further on Wednesday after CIA whistleblower James Erdmann III testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
According to testimony cited during the hearing, the CIA allegedly “took back 40 boxes of JFK and MKUltra files” and also “illegally monitored the computer and phone usage” of investigators connected to Gabbard’s review efforts.
The testimony reportedly centered on investigations tied to the origins of COVID-19 and broader intelligence-community secrecy surrounding pandemic-related information.
The allegations come amid growing public distrust toward federal intelligence agencies following years of disputes over COVID origins, censorship, surveillance authorities, and government secrecy.
Claims of Midnight Document Retrieval During Government Shutdown
NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich reported additional allegations that CIA personnel retrieved documents tied to JFK and MKUltra from the National Reconnaissance Office during a government shutdown last year.
According to Pavlich’s reporting, the records were allegedly removed “in the middle of the night” and have not been returned to ODNI.
If confirmed, the allegations would raise major questions about internal intelligence-community power struggles over declassification authority and control of historic records.
Former CIA Officer Says Agency Cannot Override President
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou blasted the agency during an interview Wednesday night, arguing the CIA has no authority to override either the president or the Director of National Intelligence.
“The CIA cannot overrule the president, and the CIA cannot even overrule the director of national intelligence,” Kiriakou said.
“They are mandated to be declassified.
“The American people have a right to know what is in these files.”
“Real life isn’t supposed to work this way. This is crazy,” he added.
CIA Pushes Back Against Hearing
Before whistleblower testimony began, CIA spokesperson Liz Lyons accused lawmakers of conducting a politically motivated hearing.
“This proceeding amounts to nothing more than dishonest political theater masquerading as a congressional hearing,” Lyons said.
The Committee acted in bad faith by subpoenaing an Agency officer for testimony today without notifying CIA, despite having already obtained closed-door testimony from the individual previously. The witness testifying today is not appearing as a whistleblower in pursuit of the…
— Liz Lyons (@CIASpox) May 13, 2026
The CIA also defended its conclusions regarding COVID origins, stating the agency believes a lab leak is the “most likely” explanation.
But critics argue the growing conflict over declassification points to a broader pattern of intelligence agencies withholding information from both Congress and the American public.
Trump Administration Declassification Push Intensifies
The battle unfolds as President Donald Trump continues pushing for expanded transparency surrounding decades-old federal secrets.
Trump previously directed the release of records tied to the JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations, while allies inside the administration have increasingly challenged intelligence-community resistance to declassification efforts.
Luna has now threatened to subpoena the CIA if the disputed records are not returned to ODNI within 24 hours.
The latest revelations are expected to intensify congressional scrutiny over intelligence agencies, classified records, and longstanding allegations of institutional secrecy inside the federal government.
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