Trump Orders Review, Release Of UFO Files
On Feb. 19 President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files on UFOs and extraterrestrial life.
Overview
On Feb. 19 President Donald Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files on UFOs and "alien and extraterrestrial life," he said on Truth Social.
The directive followed former President Barack Obama's Feb. 14 podcast remark that "they're real," which Obama later clarified and which Trump said disclosed classified information.
Lara Trump said the president had a prepared speech, press secretary Karoline Leavitt called such a speech "news to me," and Sen. John Fetterman called the release bipartisan, the sources said.
A June 2024 unclassified report said service members made 485 reports, with 118 cases identified as prosaic and the Pentagon flagging 21 cases for further analysis.
Trump instructed agencies to "begin the process" of identifying and releasing files, and officials said it is unclear what records might be released or what they may show.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as public curiosity tempered by institutional skepticism and procedural transparency. They emphasize Trump's directive and Obama's remarks while repeatedly citing Pentagon/AARO findings that there is "no evidence" of extraterrestrial activity, use mildly dismissive language (e.g., "wild theories"), and prioritize official, national-security context over conspiratorial claims.
Sources (18)
FAQ
President Trump directed the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to UFOs, extraterrestrials, and any connected information.
The directive followed former President Barack Obama's podcast remark suggesting aliens are real, which Trump accused of disclosing classified information.
Obama clarified that while the universe's vastness makes extraterrestrial life statistically likely, the chances of alien visits are low, and he saw no evidence of contact during his presidency.
A March 2024 Pentagon report stated there was no proof that aerial phenomena were alien technology, following investigations into recent reports.
It is unclear what specific records will be released or what they may reveal.
History
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