WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon and other federal agencies on Thursday to release records related to unidentified flying objects, including any material connected to “alien and extraterrestrial life.”
The order instructs the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies to review classified and unclassified files, including reports, assessments, and technical data collected by military and intelligence personnel. Officials must determine which materials can be declassified without compromising national security.
Trump’s directive follows years of military reporting on unidentified aerial phenomena. Pilots and crew members have reported objects moving at speeds or patterns inconsistent with known aircraft. The Pentagon has maintained task forces to study such sightings, focusing on flight safety and national security, and examining whether objects may involve foreign surveillance, U.S. programs, atmospheric events, or sensor errors.
Agencies will coordinate with legal and classification experts to ensure compliance with U.S. laws governing defense information, intelligence methods, and privacy protections. Officials may release redacted versions if only parts of the documents meet declassification standards. A timeline for the full release has not been announced.
Interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial life has long drawn public attention. Previous government investigations collected witness accounts and physical evidence, though many cases were later explained as conventional phenomena. Scientific institutions and space agencies continue separate efforts to search for life beyond Earth.
Trump’s order also responds to calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups for more transparency on government-held UFO information. Some members of Congress have requested regular briefings and reports on incidents affecting restricted airspace, critical infrastructure, or aviation safety.
The release could make new videos, reports, and analytical papers publicly accessible, possibly through formal publications or Freedom of Information Act requests. Agencies are continuing to review archives and active files as part of an ongoing discussion about classification policy, transparency, and public access to sensitive information.
