U.S. President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies, including the Pentagon, to begin identifying and releasing government files related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and potential extraterrestrial life.
Trump made the announcement on social media, describing the move as a response to “extremely interesting and important” public interest in the subject. He instructed Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and other agency leaders to review records and determine what can be made public.
The directive covers government documents, reports, and other records concerning aliens, UFOs, and related unexplained phenomena. Officials have not yet confirmed which files will be released, the timeline for disclosure, or how much of the material will be declassified.
The announcement followed Trump’s criticism of former President Barack Obama, who recently said in a podcast that aliens could be real but added that he had “no evidence” of contact during his presidency. Trump claimed, without providing evidence, that Obama revealed classified information during those remarks.
Trump emphasized that he personally does not know if extraterrestrial life exists, but stressed the importance of transparency on the matter. He said the public has long been curious about what the government knows regarding unidentified aircraft and other phenomena beyond Earth.
The Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies have been tracking UAP reports for years. A 2024 Pentagon report noted that while military personnel have documented hundreds of unexplained sightings, there is no confirmed evidence of extraterrestrial technology, and most cases were later identified as drones, balloons, aircraft, or natural phenomena.
Trump’s order represents a renewed push for government disclosure on a topic that has long fascinated the public and attracted congressional attention. However, questions remain about how extensive the disclosures will be and how quickly the files will become publicly accessible.