Trump Administration Releases Previously Classified Files On UFOs, ‘Extraterrestrial Life’
Trump Administration Releases Previously Classified Files On UFOs, ‘Extraterrestrial Life’
Among the declassified materials are; photographs reportedly taken during the Apollo 12 mission and Apollo 17 mission lunar missions.
The administration of Donald Trump on Friday released a new batch of previously classified files, photographs and videos relating to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), commonly referred to as UFOs, as part of what officials described as an unprecedented transparency initiative.
According to a statement issued by the White House to Fox News, the materials were released under President Trump’s Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters programme, known as PURSUE.
“The latest UAP videos, photos, and original source documents from across the entire United States government are all in one place — no clearance required,” the White House said.
“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.”
Officials described Friday’s disclosure as the first in a series of planned releases.
Among the declassified materials are; photographs reportedly taken during the Apollo 12 mission and Apollo 17 mission lunar missions.
One image captured from the moon’s surface appears to show three unidentified objects in the sky.
The release also included transcripts of communications between Apollo 17 astronauts and mission control discussing unexplained objects observed during the mission.
“Now we’ve got a few very bright particles or fragments or something that go drifting by as we maneuver,” one operator reportedly said.
Another operator later described the objects as “very jagged, angular fragments that are tumbling.”
Additional files released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation included photographs from New Year’s Eve 1999 allegedly showing unidentified aerial objects near US aircraft.
The release follows comments made earlier this year by former US President Barack Obama during a podcast appearance in which he suggested aliens were real.
Reacting at the time, Trump criticised Obama for allegedly discussing classified matters publicly.
“He gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that,” Trump told reporters in February. “I don’t know if they’re real or not. I can tell you, he gave classified information.”
Days later, Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that his administration would begin declassifying files relating to extraterrestrial life, UFOs and UAPs.
“Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs),” Trump wrote.
Several top U.S. officials welcomed Friday’s disclosure.
Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, described the move as a major step toward transparency.
“These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves,” he said.
Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, also said the administration was coordinating a broader declassification effort involving multiple intelligence agencies.
“Today’s release is the first in what will be an ongoing joint declassification and release effort,” Gabbard stated.
FBI Director, Kash Patel, described the disclosure as “a landmark release of UAP records,” adding that the American public now had “unfettered access” to previously classified government files.
Meanwhile, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency would continue to investigate unexplained phenomena using scientific methods.
“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,” Isaacman said.
“We will remain candid about what we know to be true, what we have yet to understand, and all that remains to be discovered.”
