Today, May 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of War (Pentagon) released the first batch of “never-before-seen” declassified files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP/UFOs) as part of President Trump’s transparency initiative.
This marks the start of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE), an interagency effort involving the White House, ODNI, DOE, AARO, NASA, FBI, and others. Files are hosted on a new dedicated site: war.gov/UFO/, with more tranches planned on a rolling basis every few weeks.
Background and Timeline
Trump’s directive: In February 2026, Trump directed agencies to identify and release files on alien/extraterrestrial life, UAP, and UFOs.
Trump’s Truth Social Post May 8th 2026
He reiterated this in April at a Turning Point USA event, calling findings “very interesting” and promising releases “very, very soon.”
Recent momentum: Rep. Tim Burchett mentioned pilot encounters and possibly a video in the imminent release. The first batch dropped today, fulfilling the push.
The Pentagon emphasizes maximum transparency: “It’s time the American people see it for themselves” and can “make up their own minds.”
No evidence of recovered alien tech or confirmed extraterrestrial life is claimed; many cases remain “unresolved” due to insufficient data.
Private-sector analysis is welcomed.
What’s in the First Release (Release 01)?
~162 files: ~120 PDFs, 28 videos, 14 images (many with redactions—108 files affected).
Primarily historical FBI records (1947–1968 era “flying discs” and sightings), plus DoD, State Department, and NASA materials.
Includes eyewitness accounts, intelligence reports, and photos/videos of unexplained objects.
Notable highlights:
Apollo mission reports: Apollo 12 (1969) — astronaut Alan Bean described “flashes of light” sailing into space.
Apollo 17 (1972) — crew saw bright tumbling particles/fragments (“like the Fourth of July”); transcript and a photo with three dots in triangular formation.
Military/sensor footage of objects over various locations (e.g., Greece, Iraq, Japan, UAE, U.S.).
Infrared and other imagery of anomalous objects.
Here are examples of imagery from or associated with the release (including declassified-style photos and composites):
1. FBI report of decoded message from ET’s 1947.
TIRED OF HUMAN NONSENSE WONT AWATT ATOMIC WAR DISRUPTING ORDER SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING DISKS AND WILL SET UP WORLD ORDER UNDER MARTIANS LATE THTS YEAR".
2. LA description of UAP’s
Reactions and Context
Officials: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel, and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman issued supportive statements on transparency.
Skepticism/Critics:
Some view it as a distraction; others note it builds on prior declassifications (e.g., AARO reports) without smoking-gun alien proof.
Public/Expert interest:
High anticipation; Harvard’s Avi Loeb and others have commented on the process.
Markets like Kalshi had high odds on a release.
This is not full disclosure—tens of millions of records are involved, and releases are ongoing.
The government stresses unresolved cases invite further scrutiny. For the raw files, visit war.gov/UFO/ directly.
Expect more in coming weeks. This represents the most significant U.S. government UAP transparency push in decades.
