The U.S. Department of Defense released 162 declassified files regarding unidentified flying objects and unidentified anomalous phenomena on Friday [1, 2].
This disclosure marks a significant shift in government transparency regarding potential extraterrestrial life and military encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena. By making these records public, the administration is acting on a direct mandate to open classified archives that have remained hidden for decades.
The files were made available via a Pentagon-run website [4]. A Pentagon spokesperson said the batch includes military footage and NASA mission records [1]. The release is the result of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump (R-FL) in February 2026, which demanded greater transparency concerning UAPs and alien life [3, 5].
President Trump addressed the release during a speech at a Turning Point USA conference in Arizona on Friday [3, 4]. During the event, he said the contents of the files would be of significant interest to the general public.
"I think some of it’s going to be very interesting to people," Trump said [3].
The release of 162 documents [1] follows months of anticipation after the February order. While some reports described the release as consisting of more than 160 files [6], the official count provided by the Department of Defense is 162 [1].
The documents provide a glimpse into how the U.S. military and space agencies have tracked and categorized anomalous objects over several years. The move aims to satisfy a growing public and congressional demand for clarity on what the government knows about non-human intelligence, and advanced aerospace technology.
“The Pentagon released 162 declassified UFO and UAP files, including NASA mission records and military footage.”
This move signals a formal transition from a policy of secrecy to one of disclosure regarding UAPs. By linking the release to a presidential executive order, the administration is institutionalizing the study of anomalous phenomena, potentially moving the conversation from the fringes of conspiracy theory into the realm of official government science and national security policy.
