Trump administration begins to release new UFO files to the public

Pentagon releases videos as part of Trump's UFO transparency directive

The Pentagon released  a trove of documents and videos on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) sightings May 8 as part of President Donald Trump’s directive aimed at increasing government transparency around reported UFO sightings. These recorded sightings are form the Middle East in 2020, Iraq in December 2022, Greece in 2023 and 2024, and the United Arab Emirates in 2023 and 2024.

The Pentagon on Friday released some never-before-seen images and video of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) as part of a historical effort the Trump administration has vowed to declassify. 

The UFO files

Dozens of PDF, images, and video files are now accessible on the Department of Defense’s website. These include original source documents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. military and even imagery from NASA’s Apollo missions. 

All 162 files released have been reviewed for security purposes, according to the Department of Defense. However, many of the materials have not been "analyzed for resolution of any anomalies."

This archival photograph depicts the lunar surface as viewed from the landing site of Apollo 12. This image features a highlighted area of interest near the right edge of the frame, above the horizon, in which unidentified phenomena are visible.

Portions of the released files include reports from the FBI that have investigative records, eyewitness testimonies and other reports regarding "Unidentified Flying Objects" and "flying discs" that the government collected between June 1947 and July 1968. Some of the records include some well-publicized and high-profile accounts where UFOs garnered significant media coverage. 

There are also intelligence reports, transcripts and other accounts from the Department of Defense and Department of State. 

The complete files are available on their website at war.gov/ufo. 

Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP) captured by US military

The Pentagon released this video on May 8, 2026 of an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP)  that was captured via multiple sensor modalities aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024 in Greece.  The AARO  report  described the UAP as "diamond-shaped" and moving at approximately 434 knots. The observer also reported that the UAP was only detectable via short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensor.

What they're saying:

"The Department of War is in lockstep with President Trump to bring unprecedented transparency regarding our government’s understanding of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena," said Secretary Pete Hegseth. "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."

'UFO files' released by War Department

The War Department released the first batch of 'UFO files' on Friday. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said, "the American people deserve transparency, accountability and access to information regarding UAP's and disclosure that the govt. has kept hidden from the public for decades."

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman also released a statement reading, "I applaud President Trump’s whole-of-government effort to bring greater transparency to the American people on unidentified anomalous phenomena. At NASA, our job is to bring the brightest minds and most advanced scientific instruments to bear, follow the data, and share what we learn. We will remain candid about what we know to be true, what we have yet to understand, and all that remains to be discovered. Exploration and the pursuit of knowledge are core to NASA’s mission as we endeavor to unlock the secrets of the universe."

The backstory:

President Trump has hinted multiple times since February that his administration will be releasing new video and information regarding UFOs to the public. 

In 2024, an 18-page report submitted to Congress said the military had 485 reports of unidentified phenomena, just in the past year. However, many of them were likely to be explained as "prosaic objects such as various types of balloons, birds, and unmanned aerial systems."

The Pentagon has promised more transparency after a leak led to Congress holding the first UFO hearing in 50 years in May 2022.