Feb. 19 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Thursday directed the Department of Defense to begin the process of releasing government files related to “alien and extraterrestrial life,” as his administration continues to face scrutiny over its handling of documents tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement regarding potential disclosure of information about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and unidentified flying objects (UFOs) comes amid ongoing debate and public interest in the topic.
“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), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and critical matters,” Trump said in a social media statement. No further details were immediately provided regarding the scope or timeline of the document release.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the move as “OUT OF THIS WORLD NEWS from President Trump” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The announcement followed a recent appearance by former President Barack Obama on a podcast, where he addressed questions about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Obama stated, “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them, and they’re not being kept in … Area 51,” adding, “There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy, and they hid it from the president of the United States.” He later clarified on Instagram that he was speaking statistically about the probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe.
Trump’s Transparency Claims and Recent Document Releases
The decision to potentially declassify information about extraterrestrial life is the latest instance of the Trump administration promoting itself as “the most transparent administration in history.” During his second term, the administration has released documents pertaining to the assassinations of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. And President John F. Kennedy. However, this claim of transparency has been challenged by criticism surrounding the handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, with concerns raised about redactions and demands for the release of more material concerning allegations of sexual abuse, and trafficking.
The Department of Justice published over 3.5 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein on January 30, 2026, in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on November 19, 2025. These files originated from multiple investigations, including cases in Florida and Latest York, and investigations into Epstein’s death.
A Response to Obama’s Comments?
The timing of Trump’s announcement appears to be linked to Obama’s recent remarks. Hours before the statement, Trump reportedly accused Obama of leaking classified information while responding to questions from reporters aboard Air Force One. “He’s not supposed to be doing that,” Trump told reporters. “He made, he made a massive mistake. He took it out of classified information.” Trump then suggested he might “get him out of trouble by declassifying” the related documents.
What are UAPs and UFOs?
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) is the current term used by the U.S. Government to describe what were previously known as Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The shift in terminology reflects a broader effort to destigmatize the reporting of such events and encourage more rigorous scientific investigation. The focus is now on understanding the nature and origin of these phenomena, regardless of whether they are attributable to extraterrestrial sources.
Previous Government Interest in Unexplained Aerial Phenomena
Interest in UAPs is not new. The U.S. Government has investigated reports of unexplained aerial sightings for decades. In recent years, there has been increased attention to the issue, driven in part by reports from military pilots who have documented encounters with objects exhibiting unusual flight characteristics. In 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a preliminary assessment on UAPs, acknowledging that many sightings remain unexplained.
The release of government files on alien and extraterrestrial life, should it occur, could provide further insight into these investigations and potentially shed light on the nature of UAPs. The extent of the information that will be made public, and the timeline for its release, remain unclear. The Department of Defense has not yet commented on the specifics of how it will respond to President Trump’s directive.
The next step will be the Department of Defense’s internal review to identify and prepare for the release of relevant documents. Further updates are expected from the White House in the coming weeks regarding the process and timeline for this unprecedented disclosure.
What are your thoughts on the potential release of these files? Share your comments below and join the conversation.
