Overview
- President Donald Trump on Feb. 19 directed the Pentagon and other agencies to identify and release government records related to extraterrestrials, UFOs and UAPs.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Feb. 25 that the Pentagon is working on the task, but agencies have not detailed the scope or schedule of any releases.
- A March 2024 Pentagon report from AARO concluded it found no verified evidence that investigated phenomena involved extraterrestrial technology.
- Trump told reporters he does not know if aliens are real and suggested declassification could address controversy following Barack Obama’s podcast remarks and later clarification.
- Public interest has surged, with prediction markets implying roughly a 24% chance of U.S. confirmation of extraterrestrial peers before 2027 and polling showing 56% of Americans say alien life probably or definitely exists.