Al Jazeera reports: The United States Department of Defense has released its first tranche of previously classified files on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), following an order from US President Donald Trump in February.The release on Friday contained 162 files dating back decades, including documents from the FBI, the Department of State, and the US space agency, NASA. Trump has framed the initiative as part of an effort to create more transparency, in line with his previous orders to release records related to the assassinations of President John F Kennedy, his brother, Senator Robert F Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Those files offered few new details beyond what was already known. Lawmakers have repeatedly said the disclosures do not appear complete.In February, US Representative Thomas Massie, a leading Republican critic of Trump, decried the UFO release as the “ultimate weapon of mass distraction”.Sightings and anomaliesIt remained to be seen how impactful the new documents would be. Interest in UFOs and UAPs has persisted for decades and has spanned presidential administrations.
Background
In 2022, Congress created a Pentagon office to investigate and declassify related material. That year, a House panel held the first public hearing on the subject in more than 50 years.The office’s first report, released in 2024, revealed hundreds of new UAP incidents. Advertisement However, it found no evidence that the US government had ever confirmed a sighting of alien technology.
Key facts
- Those files offered few new details beyond what was already known.
- Interest in UFOs and UAPs has persisted for decades and has spanned presidential administrations.
- In 2022, Congress created a Pentagon office to investigate and declassify related material.
What this means
It further rebutted claims that the US government had recovered alien technology or confirmed evidence of alien life.
Originally reported by Al Jazeera. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
