On May 8 2026, the Trump administration released the first batch of formerly classified UFO/UAP files as part of a new transparency initiative called the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE).
Highlights of what was published:
- 162 files total — a mix of internal military memos, photographs, and videos chronicling decades of government employee reports of anomalous aircraft.
- Notable incidents include a memo describing “one possible small UAP” observed in Iraq in 2022, and “multiple glares or light from an unknown origin” observed in Syria in 2024.
- A NASA photograph from the Apollo 17 mission (December 1972) was included, alongside a report in which astronaut Jack Schmitt described seeing “a flash on the lunar surface north of Grimaldi” crater.
- The release was hosted on a dedicated page at war.gov/ufo.
Here is an example of what has been released.
President Trump directed federal agencies back in February 2026 to declassify and release records related to extraterrestrial life and UFOs. Officials framed today’s release as a “historic transparency effort” and said the public can judge the evidence for themselves. More batches are expected. Reaction online has been a mix of genuine interest and a flood of memes on X.
What is now termed the Department of War, put out a statement:
“The American people can now access the federal government’s declassified UAP files instantly. The latest UAP videos, photos, and original source documents from across the entire United States government are all in one place – no clearance required. 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.“
NASA spokesman Jared Isaacman added:
“We will remain candid about what we know to be true, what we have yet to understand, and all that remains to be discovered. Exploration and the pursuit of knowledge are core to NASA’s mission as we endeavor to unlock the secrets of the universe.”
Based on early coverage, nothing in this first batch confirms extraterrestrial origin — the documents largely catalog unexplained sightings rather than provide definitive answers.
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