In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump announced that he had instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and other federal agencies to begin declassifying records connected to “alien and extraterrestrial life, UAP, and unidentified flying objects (UFOs).” He also called for the release of “any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”
Following the directive, the Department of War, in coordination with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and several other agencies, launched a large-scale effort to locate, review, and declassify millions of UAP-related records gathered over several decades.
What the Released UFO Files Contain
The newly released archive includes photographs, infrared imagery, videos, radar data, and military reports documenting unexplained aerial sightings observed by military personnel and government agencies.
Among the materials released are:
Infrared images showing unidentified objects flying over airspace in the western United States.
A mysterious object detected beneath a helicopter during flight operations.
Multiple unknown airborne objects captured through military infrared sensors.
A recreated 2023 visual analysis of a possible unexplained aerial object observed in the southeastern United States.
An archival Apollo 17 Moon image displaying three unexplained lights above the lunar surface.
Military video stills showing unidentified objects moving across aircraft sensor systems.
Footage of a reported UAP near the United Arab Emirates.
Radar-style imagery depicting unclear airborne shapes against clouds and open sky.
A report involving a UAP observed over ocean airspace near Greece.
A football-shaped object reportedly tracked near Japan by the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Reports of unidentified aerial activity witnessed by US military forces in African airspace.
A 2020 US Air Force report documenting unexplained aerial movements over the southern United States.
A US Army report from 2026 describing unidentified aerial activity in North America.
Government officials clarified that the files being released are categorized as “unresolved cases,” meaning investigators were unable to determine a definitive explanation for the incidents due to incomplete data or insufficient evidence.
More Releases Expected
Authorities said the declassification process will continue over the coming weeks, with additional records expected to be released in stages. Officials also encouraged independent researchers, scientists, and members of the public to examine the newly available materials.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the administration was committed to increasing transparency surrounding the government’s understanding of UAPs.
“The Department of War is in lockstep with President Trump to bring unprecedented transparency regarding our government’s understanding of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena,” Hegseth said. “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fuelled justified speculation and it’s time the American people see it for themselves.”
He added that the release reflects the administration’s commitment to providing the public with access to previously classified information and promoting greater openness on the issue.
Officials said the primary goal of the initiative is transparency and public access to records that had remained secret for decades.
