On February 19–20, 2026, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that he would direct the Pentagon and other federal agencies to begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in response to what he described as “tremendous interest” from the public. The move marks a renewed effort by the U.S. government to address widespread public curiosity and long-standing calls for transparency on unidentified aerial sightings and potential evidence of extraterrestrial life.
In a statement shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he was directing the Secretary of Defense and other relevant agency heads “to begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, UAP, and UFOs, and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.” He did not immediately clarify what specific documents might be released, how broad the release would be, or when the public could expect to see them.
The announcement reinvigorates national conversation about UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena that have persisted for decades, involving government officials, military personnel, scientists, and the general public.
Public interest and political context
Trump’s declaration came shortly after former President Barack Obama made remarks during a podcast interview suggesting he believed extraterrestrial life could be real but that he had seen no direct evidence of contact or hidden alien facilities. Trump publicly criticized Obama’s remarks, accusing him without evidence of disclosing classified information. The former president later clarified that his comments were more about the statistical probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe than any confirmation of alien contact.
When pressed by reporters, Trump said he “doesn’t know” whether aliens exist and that he rarely discusses the topic, but emphasized that the nation’s interest in understanding unexplained aerial phenomena justifies releasing government files about it.
Historical background: Government UFO files and reports
Government interest in UFOs and UAPs is not new. For decades, various U.S. intelligence, military, and aerospace agencies have collected reports from military personnel, pilots, and radar operators of anomalous aerial sightings that defy easy identification. In 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a public report on UAP, concluding that the majority of reported phenomena could be explained by mundane objects or environmental causes, and that no evidence pointed to extraterrestrial beings or advanced alien technology.
In subsequent years, Congress and military bodies established structures like the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to gather and analyze UAP reports. Despite hundreds of sightings logged by the military through mid-2024, the office concluded that most sightings had benign explanations, such as drones, weather balloons, aircraft, or atmospheric phenomena, and none had been proven to involve extraterrestrial technology.
What might Be released?
The term “files” in Trump’s directive could cover a broad range of material, including previously classified documents, intelligence assessments, radar logs, pilot reports, video footage collected by military sensors, and internal government communication regarding UAP investigations. Analysts caution, however, that many documents already in the public domain have been heavily redacted, and identifying additional files suitable for release could be complex and time-consuming.
Independent researchers and civilian archives such as The Black Vault, which houses millions of declassified documents including those related to UFO investigations, have long served as repositories of government files obtained through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests. Whether the Trump directive would produce wholly new or previously unseen material remains to be seen.
Reactions from government and experts
Political and public reactions to Trump’s announcement have been mixed. Some conservative lawmakers supportive of declassification see it as a long-awaited chance to shed light on a topic that has often been relegated to fringe conspiracy theories. Others are more cautious, pointing out that official reports over recent years have found no evidence of extraterrestrial contact and emphasizing the need to handle national security concerns responsibly.
Scientists and space researchers generally welcome data transparency but stress that unexplained phenomena do not inherently equate to alien visitation. Many advocate for systematic scientific study of UAPs grounded in physics, aerospace engineering, and atmospheric science.
Broader significance
Trump’s decision underscores the enduring public fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial life, a subject that has captured imaginations for generations and has seen waves of renewed interest following leaked military videos, congressional hearings, and high-profile media coverage.
While the release of additional government files could deepen public understanding of how U.S. agencies investigate unexplained aerial phenomena, experts caution that current evidence does not confirm extraterrestrial contact. Nevertheless, heightened transparency could help demystify many aspects of UAP research, encourage scientific inquiry, and clarify long-standing questions about what the government knows or does not know about unexplained sightings in the skies above.