BY PC Bureau
February 20, 2026 — US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is directing federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, to identify and release government files related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), and extraterrestrial life, in a move that has sparked renewed debate over transparency and possible alien encounters.
The directive was issued through a post on Truth Social, where Trump cited strong public interest in the subject. “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), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters,” Trump wrote.
🚨OUT OF THIS WORLD NEWS from President Trump… 👽 pic.twitter.com/NI3wTGRqdh
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 20, 2026
The announcement follows recent remarks by former US President Barack Obama, who said in a podcast interview that extraterrestrial life is statistically plausible given the vast size of the universe, though he emphasized there was no confirmed evidence of alien contact during his presidency. Trump had previously criticized Obama for allegedly revealing sensitive information, but Obama clarified his comments were speculative, not based on classified findings.
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Speaking to reporters, Trump said he has “no opinion” on whether extraterrestrial life exists but stressed the importance of transparency. He confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other agencies will review government records to determine which materials can be declassified and released. No timeline has been announced, and it remains unclear how much information will ultimately be made public.
Previous investigations by the Pentagon into UAP sightings have found no definitive evidence linking the phenomena to extraterrestrial origins. Most incidents were attributed to drones, atmospheric effects, or classified military systems.
The directive triggered strong reactions online, particularly on X, where UFO disclosure advocates hailed the move as a potential breakthrough, while skeptics questioned whether the release would produce meaningful revelations. Others suggested the initiative could have implications for national security, scientific research, and defense-related industries.
The order represents one of the most direct presidential efforts to declassify UFO-related information, building on earlier congressional mandates but elevating the push to the executive level. As agencies begin reviewing classified archives, the coming weeks may provide greater clarity—or deepen the mystery—surrounding one of the most enduring questions in modern history.
