On February 19, 2026, President Donald Trump officially instructed the Pentagon and other government agencies to collect and prepare for public release all files related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and potential extraterrestrial life. Trump made the announcement via his Truth Social platform, emphasizing the importance of transparency on these previously secretive matters. This decision follows heightened public interest and recent high-profile statements by political figures regarding the existence of alien life. Trump's directive marks a significant movement toward government disclosure of classified information concerning UFO encounters.
The directive involves coordination between the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and other relevant departments tasked with gathering, reviewing, and declassifying related documents. Officially, the process aims to identify any government-held information that can be safely shared without compromising national security. White House and Pentagon officials have yet to provide a detailed timeline for file releases or outline which materials will ultimately be made public. The announcement drew further attention after former President Barack Obama made comments acknowledging the likelihood of extraterrestrial life but clarified he had not seen evidence or bodies tied to alien encounters.
This move fits into a broader context of increasing government disclosure on UFOs and UAPs following years of secrecy and public speculation. Since the Pentagon’s establishment of the UAP Task Force in 2020 and subsequent media leaks, there has been growing demand for transparency on these phenomena. The release of files could reshape public understanding of aerial encounters and influence scientific, military, and geopolitical perspectives. Historically, government disclosure on classified subjects has both clarified and fueled public debate; thus, this development may have significant implications for trust in institutions and future exploration of potential extraterrestrial contact.
Source: MUFON
