Who Killed JFK? – Episode Summary: "The Secret Service Agent Who Witnessed it All [BONUS]"

Release Date: January 24, 2024
Host: Rob Reiner and Soledad O’Brien
Produced by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the bonus episode titled "The Secret Service Agent Who Witnessed it All," Who Killed JFK? delves deeper into the enigmatic and tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of JFK's assassination, hosts Rob Reiner and Soledad O’Brien explore new revelations that might shed light on America's most enduring murder mystery. This episode features an exclusive interview with Paul Landis, a former Secret Service agent who recently came forward with groundbreaking evidence related to the assassination.

Exclusive Interview with Paul Landis

Recounting the Day of the Assassination

At age 88, Paul Landis shares his firsthand experience from November 22, 1963. Positioned on the running board of the car directly behind President Kennedy's limousine, Landis provides a vivid and harrowing account of the events as they unfolded in Dealey Plaza, Dallas.

• Rob Reiner (00:03:21): “When I heard the first shot, I looked at the President, he was leaning a little bit to his left, he was raising his arms...”

Despite initial confusion, Landis describes the moment he realized the President had been fatally shot:

• Rob Reiner (00:04:00): “I saw the President's head split wide open. A mist of blood and flesh and brain matter flew into the air. I ducked to avoid getting splattered...”

Discovery of the Pristine Bullet

The crux of Landis's revelation lies in a bullet he discovered in the backseat of JFK's limousine—an element that challenges the established Single Bullet Theory.

• Paul Landis (00:05:51): “A pristine bullet in the backseat of the car, the seat where the President and the first lady had been sitting.”

Describing the bullet's condition:

• Rob Reiner (00:07:41): “It did not look like it had hit anything. All it had was the striations on the outside. It was just, like, resting on the top of his seat.”

Landis explains his immediate actions upon finding the bullet:

• Rob Reiner (00:07:54): “I slipped it in my pocket and raced in with the gurney carrying the President's body.”

Implications on the Single Bullet Theory

Soledad O’Brien and Paul Landis discuss the profound implications of this discovery:

• Soledad O'Brien (00:08:35): “It completely destroys the single bullet theory... This pristine bullet would have to have gone through both the President and Governor Connally...”

• Paul Landis (00:08:53): “What I wish people would understand...” (Emphasizing the significance of his testimony)

By introducing a bullet that appears untouched despite the chaos, the episode posits that the Single Bullet Theory may not hold, suggesting the possibility of multiple shooters and a larger conspiracy.

Personal Impact and Motivation to Speak Out

Landis opens up about the personal toll the assassination has taken on him over the decades:

• Rob Reiner (00:11:44): “I've been told, I understand now that the post-traumatic stress...”

He reveals why he chose to come forward now:

• Rob Reiner (00:11:49): “The newsreel of the President's head exploding. People have asked me about Dallas. I just never talked about it.”

Landis also criticizes the Warren Commission for not interviewing agents like himself:

• Rob Reiner (00:13:25): “The Warren Commission never interviewed any of the other agents that were in the follow-up car.”

Impact of Landis's Testimony

The revelation by Paul Landis serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation into JFK's assassination. By introducing a potentially pivotal piece of evidence—a bullet that contradicts the established narrative—the episode reinvigorates discussions about who was truly responsible for the President's death.

• Soledad O'Brien (00:14:25): “This is the most significant piece of the puzzle that we've been trying to solve for 60 years.”

Landis's testimony not only challenges historical accounts but also personalizes the tragedy, highlighting the enduring psychological scars carried by those who were present during the assassination.

Conclusion

"The Secret Service Agent Who Witnessed it All" offers listeners a compelling and deeply personal perspective on one of America's most infamous events. Through Paul Landis's newfound testimony, Who Killed JFK? adds a significant layer to the intricate puzzle of JFK's assassination, suggesting that the truth may be more complex and concealed than previously thought. This episode underscores the importance of revisiting historical events with fresh eyes and new evidence, keeping the conversation alive as the quest for truth continues.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Landis (00:05:51): “A pristine bullet in the backseat of the car, the seat where the President and the first lady had been sitting.”

• Rob Reiner (00:07:41): “It did not look like it had hit anything. All it had was the striations on the outside...”

• Soledad O'Brien (00:08:35): “It completely destroys the single bullet theory...”

• Paul Landis (00:08:53): “What I wish people would understand...”

Final Thoughts

This bonus episode stands as a testament to the enduring fascination and unresolved questions surrounding JFK's assassination. By bringing forth new evidence and personal testimonies, Who Killed JFK? continues to engage and inform its audience, ensuring that the search for answers remains as vital today as it was six decades ago.