The U.S. government released 162 secret files containing photos, videos, and audio recordings of unidentified aerial phenomena on Friday [1], [2].
This release marks a significant shift in government transparency regarding anomalous aerial phenomena. By making these records public, the administration is addressing long-standing public curiosity and political pressure to disclose what the military knows about unidentified objects in U.S. airspace.
President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Department of Defense to release the files [1], [3]. The executive order to free the documents was originally issued on Feb. 19, 2026 [1], [3]. The official announcement of the declassification occurred on May 8, 2026 [1].
The released materials include a collection of more than 150 photos and videos [4]. These files are intended to provide a clearer picture of the anomalous aerial phenomena the government has tracked over time. The move follows a period of controversy sparked by statements made by former President Obama [3], [5].
The Department of Defense managed the process of stripping the secrecy classifications from the files [1], [3]. The move is part of a broader effort to increase transparency about what the military labels as unidentified aerial phenomena, often referred to as UAP or OVNI [2], [3].
Government officials said the release is a response to the need for openness regarding national security assets and the nature of these sightings [5]. The files represent a substantial amount of data that had previously been kept from public view for reasons of national security.
“The United States government released 162 secret files containing photos, videos, and audio recordings.”
The declassification of these 162 files suggests a transition from treating UAP sightings as strictly classified intelligence to treating them as a matter of public record. By releasing audio and visual evidence, the U.S. government is shifting the burden of proof from civilian researchers to official military data, which may accelerate scientific study of these phenomena while attempting to quell conspiracy theories.
