President Trump posted a directive for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to begin identifying and releasing government files related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), aliens, extraterrestrial life, and UFOs. His announcement generated public interest but did not include a signed executive order nor use the term "declassify," which means federal agencies, including the Pentagon, have no legal obligation to comply. As a result, the post lacks enforceable authority, and it cannot serve as grounds for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a key architect of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) established by the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, welcomed the announcement and urged follow-through. However, AARO has not delivered congressionally mandated reports on UAPs for over two years, highlighting institutional challenges. Representative Anna Paulina Luna noted ongoing access issues with classified UAP information, citing that she and other members of Congress were denied clearance during an official delegation. Experts like Luis Elizondo emphasized that Trump's statement represents intent rather than action and outlined criteria such as a signed executive order and formal intelligence assessments as necessary steps.
The announcement underscores broader institutional and legal complexities surrounding UAP transparency in the United States. While government agencies hold relevant files, much evidence and technology reportedly reside with private aerospace contractors without obligations to disclose. Additionally, longstanding economic considerations related to advanced energy technologies linked to UAPs may influence disclosure decisions. This case reflects the enduring difficulty of balancing national security, economic interests, and public demand for transparency in an area historically shrouded in secrecy across multiple administrations.
Source: UFO News
