Updated May 8, 2026, 9:15 a.m. ET
The Pentagon on May 8 announced the release of “never-before-seen” files on unidentified aerial phenomena, or sightings of unidentified flying objects, at a new government website: war.gov/UFO.
The now-live website shows 162 files labeled by government agency, including the military, FBI, NASA and the State Department. It was not immediately clear what the files contained and whether they were original.
President Donald Trump has previously signaled that the Pentagon would release new files on UFOs. He announced on social media in February that he would direct Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and other government officials to release “government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs).”
The documents are from the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, NASA and the Energy Department.
Hegseth said in a statement on the May 8 news release that the Pentagon was “in lockstep” with Trump, “to bring unprecedented transparency regarding our government’s understanding of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.”
Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, said Trump directed the Pentagon to release the files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, UAPs and UFOs to increase government transparency.
“While past administrations have sought to discredit or dissuade the American people, the President is focused on providing maximum disclosure to the public, who can ultimately make up their own minds about the information contained in these files,” Kelly told USA TODAY. “The American people asked, and President Trump delivered – enjoy!”
