Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Who killed John F. Kennedy?
Position3 of 5
The mafia killed JFK
Argument2 of 3

Robert Kennedy's moves against organized crime

JFK's brother, Robert Kennedy, had a major influence over organized crime.

The argument

When JFK was elected president, he appointed his brother, Robert Kennedy, to Attorney General. Immediately Robert began attacking leaders of the mafia, which angered many large crime families. Specifically, Robert Kennedy targeted Jimmy Hoffa, who was the elected leader of the union and was suspected to work with multiple large mob leaders. During this time, mafias controlled many labor unions in big cities. The mafia could have assassinated JFK as an act of revenge against Robert Kennedy. In order to cause the most grief, they assassinated President Kennedy. Three different mobs claimed responsibility for Kennedy's death immediately after the assassination.

Premises

[P1]As Attorney General, Robert Kennedy aggressively targeted mafia leaders—especially Jimmy Hoffa, tied to mob bosses who controlled big-city labour unions—angering many large crime families. [P2] The mafia thus had motive to retaliate against Robert Kennedy by assassinating the President for maximum grief, and three separate mobs claimed responsibility immediately after the killing. [C] Because organized crime had both motive and claimed involvement, the mafia killed JFK.

Counter-arguments

Again, there is no evidence that supports this conspiracy theory. The mafia was angry with Robert so they would not be targeting JFK. The mob had many ties to the Kennedy family, and correspondingly had political power, so they would not be doing anything to jeopardize that relationship.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P3] There is no evidence that supports this theory.