Did the Republicans in Coordination with the Mafia Assassinate JFK and Frame Lee Harvey Oswald?

Yet another old argument, I thought, had been thoroughly debunked. But the question of whether the Mafia had John F. Kennedy (JFK) assassinated and framed Lee Harvey Oswald remains a subject of intense debate, one that continues to spark intrigue. This article delves into the key reasons why this theory is largely unconvincing.

Copious Electronic Surveillance of the Mafia and the Absence of Intelligence

One of the most crucial pieces of evidence against the Mafia as the masterminds behind the assassination is the extensive electronic surveillance of the Chicago mob. According to these records, there is a complete absence of any intelligence suggesting the Mafia was aware of JFK's impending assassination. These surveillance records, covering the period before, during, and after the event, painted a picture of a mob indifferent to the ultimate fate of the President. Therefore, it's highly improbable that the Mafia would have orchestrated such a complex assassination scheme without any prior indication of it.

The Menace of JFK’s Successor and the Rationality of the Mafiosi

As an intelligent and influential leader, JFK's successor, RFK, was a formidable adversary. Accounts of RFK's war on organized crime and the subsequent election of Lyndon B. Johnson, who prioritized organized crime as one of his chief concerns, further discredit the Mafia's potential motive. The risk of their entire empires being obliterated by a newly empowered government, especially one committed to ridding itself of organized crime, meant that the Mafia would have had little to gain from such a high-stakes assassination. While the Mafiya might have operated under codes of conduct, the idea of such a risky and unnecessary action simply doesn't hold up to scrutiny.

The Historical Pattern of the Mafia and Limited Targeting of Politicians

Historically, the Mafia has not targeted high-ranking politicians or public figures. A cursory glance through Mafia history reveals only a handful of instances where Mafia targets were government officials. More often, the Mafia was targeted by political opponents or enemies. An example is the case of Sam Giancana, who faced multiple threats and even plots to take him down but was never assassinated. The idea of the Mafia taking out a U.S. President for personal gain is thus highly improbable.

The Mystery of Ruby and the Mafiosi's Connections

The involvement of Jack Ruby, the man who shot Oswald, adds another layer to this complex story. Many have suggested that Ruby was employed by the Mafia to silence Oswald, citing his unsuitability for such a task. Claims that Ruby was a member of the Chicago Outfit before relocating to Dallas add to this narrative, but they fail to explain his actions and motives effectively. Ruby's sudden financial relief after the assassination was suspicious, but it remains unproven that he was acting on behalf of the Mafia. His connections to the mob, though evident, don't provide clear evidence of a more sinister plot.

The FBI and Warren Commission's Ignorance of CIA Involvement

This very basic question was never properly addressed by the FBI or the Warren Commission. Both organizations were singularly focused on Oswald as the lone assassin, a position fervently held by J. Edgar Hoover from the beginning. Despite this narrow focus, Robert Kennedy questioned Hoover about the possibility of the FBI having everything wrapped up in one week when they knew nothing about a major conspiracy. The Warren Commission, under the direction of a former FBI man, didn't look into the CIA's records on attempts to topple Fidel Castro. Working closely with the CIA, the Mafia was deeply involved in these plots, which included assassination attempts.

The CIA’s Role in Assassinations

Documents declassified later revealed that the CIA had planned numerous assassination attempts, including that of South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem on November 2, 1963, just days before JFK's assassination. Both the CIA and the Mafia had access to professional killers, and during the day of the assassination, two members of the Chicago Outfit were in Dallas, possibly involved in the plot. Oswald, a patsy, served to divert suspicion away from the actual culprits. Despite the FBI and Warren Commission's attempts to downplay Ruby's mob connections, their reliability is questionable, especially since Ruby's own history hints at more complex motivations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the idea of the Mafia orchestrating and framing Oswald is a compelling one, the available evidence and historical context suggest otherwise. The lack of intelligence connecting the Mafia to JFK's assassination, the rationality of the Mafiosi, and the historical patterns of Mafia activity all point to an alternative explanation. The Kennedy assassination remains one of the most intriguing and debated events in American history, and more research and transparency are needed to fully understand its complexities.