By Micah Jonah, February 20, 2026
United States President, Donald Trump has directed federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, to begin “identifying and releasing” government records related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and potential extraterrestrial life.
Trump announced the directive on his Truth Social platform, emphasizing that the files should include “any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.” It remains unclear whether all classified documents will be made public.
The announcement follows renewed public interest in extraterrestrial life after former President Barack Obama suggested in a podcast that aliens likely exist, though he personally saw no evidence of contact and said none were being held in secret government facilities. Trump criticized Obama’s comments, suggesting they may have skirted sensitive information.
Messages of support immediately followed the announcement. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, who chairs a congressional task force on UAP, expressed gratitude for the move, stating she looks forward to reviewing the footage, photos, and reports with the public. Democratic Senator John Fetterman also called Trump’s decision “fantastic,” noting that transparency is in the interest of both America and the world.
Although the Pentagon reported in 2024 that most UFO sightings were attributable to spy planes, satellites, or weather phenomena, Trump’s announcement marks a significant step toward public disclosure on one of the most enduring questions about life beyond Earth.
