Trump orders Pentagon to declassify UFO files, launching new transparency push

What if they are real and already between us? Image: Margarita Baskakova trough AI

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to begin declassifying government files related to UFOs and extra-terrestrial life, citing «tremendous public interest» in the topic.

The directive, announced on Truth Social on 23 February 2026, instructs Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to identify and release documents linked to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), UFOs, and potential alien life. No timeline or scope of the disclosures has been confirmed, but the move signals the start of a formal review process.

Trump’s announcement follows renewed debate after former President Barack Obama recently discussed the possibility of extra-terrestrial life in a podcast interview. Trump criticised the remarks and said releasing files would help clarify what is known.

The Pentagon has investigated unidentified aerial phenomena for decades. Programmes such as the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Programme (AATIP), launched in 2007, and later the UAP Task Force and the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office have analysed hundreds of unexplained sightings. Previous reports found many incidents unresolved but offered no evidence of alien technology.

With agencies now reviewing vast archives, initial disclosures could emerge in the coming months. Image: Margarita Baskakova trough AI

Experts expect any declassification to include radar data, videos and technical assessments, though sensitive material may remain classified. Scientists have urged caution, warning against sensationalism, while transparency advocates welcomed the move as a step toward greater openness.

With agencies now reviewing vast archives, initial disclosures could emerge in the coming months. However, officials stress that no confirmed evidence of extra-terrestrial life has been presented to date.

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