Washington D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to begin the process of declassifying and releasing government files pertaining to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), commonly known as UFOs, and the potential for extraterrestrial life. The announcement, made late Thursday on his social media platform Truth Social, follows renewed public and political interest in the topic, spurred by recent statements from former President Barack Obama and ongoing reports of unexplained aerial sightings.
“Based on the tremendous interest, I will direct the Secretary of War and other Departments and Agencies relevant to begin the process of identifying and declassifying files related to alien life and extraterrestrial phenomena, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), as well as any other information linked to these highly complex, yet extremely interesting and important subjects,” Trump wrote.
The move comes after Obama, in a recent viral podcast interview, acknowledged the reality of extraterrestrial life, though he stressed he had not personally witnessed any such phenomena and dismissed claims of secret government facilities housing alien technology, such as Area 51. He qualified his statement by noting the vastness of the universe makes the existence of life elsewhere statistically probable, but the immense distances between star systems make visitation unlikely.
Trump, however, publicly criticized Obama’s comments, alleging the former president had revealed classified information. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during a trip to Georgia, Trump claimed Obama “took this out of confidential information… He shouldn’t be doing that.” He further asserted that Obama had “committed a big mistake,” though he offered no evidence to support his claim.
The timing of Trump’s announcement is notable, occurring amidst a broader push for greater transparency regarding UAP sightings. Senator Chuck Schumer has repeatedly called for the declassification of government files on the subject, echoing a sentiment gaining traction across the political spectrum. In January 2025, Schumer challenged Trump directly on social media, urging him to follow through on previous declassifications – including those related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. – by releasing UAP-related documents.
Interest in UAPs has been fueled by increasing reports from military personnel. A 2023 report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence documented 510 UAP sightings in 2022, a significant increase from the 366 reported in 2021. Of those, 171 were identified as exhibiting “unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities” warranting further analysis. These reports have prompted the Pentagon to establish programs dedicated to investigating UAPs and assessing potential national security implications.
In 2024, Air Force veteran David Grusch publicly claimed that the U.S. Military possesses wreckage from several intact unidentified aerial craft, some allegedly containing non-human biological material. While these claims remain unverified, they have added further momentum to calls for greater transparency and investigation. Trump himself has acknowledged meeting with military personnel who described encountering aircraft with unusual capabilities, stating he had spoken with individuals who reported seeing “round” aircraft traveling at speeds “four times faster than my super jet fighter plane.”
The implications of releasing government files on UAPs are far-reaching. While some experts caution against raising public expectations too high, arguing that many sightings likely have mundane explanations, others believe declassification could lead to significant scientific discoveries and a re-evaluation of humanity’s place in the universe. The potential for technological advancements derived from studying recovered UAP materials is also a consideration, though the feasibility of such advancements remains speculative.
The order to declassify UAP-related files represents a significant shift in the U.S. Government’s approach to the topic. For decades, the subject of UFOs was largely relegated to the fringes of scientific inquiry and public discourse. However, recent years have seen a growing acceptance of the need for serious investigation, driven by credible reports from military personnel and a desire for greater transparency. The coming months will be crucial in determining the extent to which the Trump administration follows through on its commitment to release these long-held secrets, and what, if any, revelations may emerge.
The process of identifying and declassifying these files is expected to be complex and time-consuming, involving multiple government agencies and potentially raising national security concerns. It remains to be seen what specific information will be released and how it will be presented to the public. However, Trump’s directive signals a willingness to address a topic that has long captivated the public imagination and potentially holds profound implications for our understanding of the universe.
