The Pentagon on Friday released a major tranche of never-before-seen files about UFOs, the latest in a series of declassifications on topics that have long captivated Americans and spawned conspiracy theories.
"Whereas previous Administrations have failed to be transparent on this subject, with these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, 'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?'" President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Have Fun and Enjoy!"
A new website made public Friday by the Defense Department — war.gov/UFO — is replete with a rotating carousel of black-and-white images of unidentified aerial phenomena. Viewers can sift through dozens of files containing detailed information on alleged UFO sightings.
Statements from several government officials suggested this was merely the first tranche of releases, and that more UFO files would be declassified and released at a later date.
Former President Barack Obama touched off the most recent round of rampant speculation about the existence of alien life when he said in a February interview that aliens are “real but I haven’t seen them.” Though Obama walked back his comments, suggesting statistically there probably is life out there but he has seen no evidence of it, Trump revealed plans to release the government’s UFO files later that month.
The government has long collected information on UFOs, including through the Pentagon’s Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program study that began nearly two decades ago. While Americans regularly connect sightings to life outside of earth, experts also often suggest more terrestrial explanations, including advanced next-generation technologies from America’s geopolitical rivals.
The Trump administration took no position on Friday, saying they were allowing Americans to make up their own minds. “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement.
This isn’t the first major files drop carried out by the Trump administration. Trump also said he’d declassify information on other long-running American fascinations, including President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and aviator Amelia Earhart’s disappearance.
But the biggest disclosure was not voluntary. Last December, the Department of Justice began releasing files related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in accordance with a law passed by Congress. The DOJ announced the release was complete in late January, the culmination of a monthslong fight over the files that revealed major fissures in the president’s MAGA coalition.
The UFO files are unlikely to raise similar levels of dissent.
“While past administrations sought to discredit or dissuade the American people, President Trump is focused on providing maximum transparency to the public, who can ultimately make up their own minds about the information contained in these files,” the Pentagon wrote.
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