Long-discussed UAP-related files including Unidentified Flying Objects and flying discs documented between June 1947 and July 1968 were released on Friday.
The Department of War released its first batch of UFO-related documents that had been slated for public release.
In a May 8 post on X, the department said that the initial release of “new, never-before-seen files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)” was “part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE).”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said these files, “hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation—and it’s time the American people see it for themselves.”
“This release of declassified documents demonstrates the Trump Administration’s earnest commitment to unprecedented transparency,” he added.
The @DeptofWar is in lockstep with President Trump to bring unprecedented transparency regarding our government’s understanding of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) May 8, 2026
These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American… https://t.co/F0EUuih8YM
Trump highlighted the release in a Truth Social post on Friday, saying it had been his honor to direct his administration to identify and release government files related to “Alien and Extraterrestrial Life, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, and Unidentified Flying Objects.”
“Whereas previous Administrations have failed to be transparent on this subject, with these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, ‘WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?’” Trump wrote. “Have Fun and Enjoy!”
The Pentagon followed through on this directive, releasing more than 160 files, dating back 80 years, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring transparency into all “alien and extraterrestrial life” in February.
One such example on the new War.gov/UFO site includes the FBI’s 62-HQ-83894 case file that has investigative records, eyewitness testimonies, and public reports concerning Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and flying discs documented between June 1947 and July 1968.
The records include high-profile incident accounts, photographic evidence from sites like Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and technical proposals regarding “potential propulsion systems.”
Given the scope of this task, the Department of War said it will be releasing new materials on a rolling basis as they are discovered and declassified, with tranches posted every few weeks.
During a May 5 appearance on Sean Hannity‘s podcast “Hang Out With Sean Hannity,” Patel said the FBI has “already delivered our first tranche of information” and “they’re going to be publicly releasing this information very soon” regarding UFOs.
“We are all for it. There’s nothing in this subject that we’re talking about that we don’t want released,” he said.
“You’re going to start seeing those releases literally happening in the very near future.”
When asked by Hannity whether authorities had ever “recovered alien forms,” Patel said, “I don’t have any information on that specifically.”
Hannity then said that Trump “clams up on this issue” when asked about UFOs.
In a brief May 7 post on X, Rep. Anna Luna (R-Fla.) posted “8am,” which was widely interpreted online as referring to the expected release of long-discussed UAP-related files on Friday morning.
UAP is the official government term for what were once commonly called UFOs, and stands for unidentified anomalous phenomena.
By Owen Evans
