The Department of War on Friday began releasing never-before-seen government files on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) — the official term for what are commonly known as UFOs — as part of a new interagency initiative ordered by President Donald J. Trump.
“The Department of War is in lockstep with President Trump to bring unprecedented transparency regarding our government’s understanding of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena,” Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement announcing the release. “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves. This release of declassified documents demonstrates the Trump Administration’s earnest commitment to unprecedented transparency.”
A total of 161 files, which include videos, photos and original source documents from across the federal government, are now publicly available with no security clearance required at a dedicated site: WAR.GOV/UFO. Additional records will be posted on a rolling basis, officials said.
The release is the first under the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, or PURSUE, a coordinated effort involving the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of Energy, the Department of War’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), NASA, the FBI and other intelligence agencies.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard added, “The American people have long sought transparency about the government’s knowledge of unidentified anomalous phenomena.”
FBI Director Kash Patel called the action “a level of transparency that no prior administration has delivered,” while NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency would continue to “follow the data” and share findings openly.
The move follows a February 2026 directive from Trump directing agencies to identify and declassify records related to UAP, extraterrestrial life and other “highly complex, but extremely interesting and important” matters.
“No other President or administration in history has followed through on this level of UAP transparency,” the statement said. “The American people can now access the federal government’s declassified UAP files instantly.”
“While past administrations sought to discredit or dissuade the American people, President Trump is focused on providing maximum transparency to the public, who can ultimately make up their own minds about the information contained in these files.”
The initial “Release 01” batch, cleared Friday morning, includes more than 160 files — primarily FBI records — many of which had been classified. The Department of War’s website lists them with file numbers such as 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_10 and similar sections, though full analysis of anomalies in the materials is ongoing.
The Department of War noted that all materials were reviewed for national security concerns before release, but many remain unanalyzed for scientific resolution of anomalies. Officials encouraged public and private-sector input on unresolved cases while continuing standard reporting on resolved incidents.
The site WAR.GOV/UFO serves as the central hub for the ongoing releases. Historical UAP records are also available through AARO at aaro.mil.
The announcement comes amid long time public interest in government-held UAP information. Trump’s directive, first referenced in his Truth Social post mid-February, explicitly called for the identification and release of records on alien and extraterrestrial life, UAP and UFOs.
No immediate details on specific incidents or conclusions were released in the initial batch summary.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is actively coordinating the Intelligence Community’s declassification efforts,” Gabbard said. “Today’s release is the first in what will be an ongoing joint declassification and release effort.”
DEVELOPING…
– – –
Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
