‘Make up their own minds’: Pentagon releases first tranche of UFO files
Key takeaways
- US President Trump ordered the release in February amid renewed public interest; critics claim distraction.
- 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.
- In a statement, the Pentagon did not draw any determinations on the photos and files released, saying many had been only screened for security purposes and “have not yet been analysed for resolution of any anomalies”.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
US President Trump ordered the release in February amid renewed public interest; critics claim distraction.
xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogle Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo. A handout image released by the US Department of Defense shows what authorities say is infrared still image derived from a US military system showing unidentified objects (UFOs) over the western United States in September, 2025 [AFP]By Al Jazeera Staff and The Associated Press Published On 8 May 20268 May 2026The 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. It was accompanied by the launch of a new, heavily stylised website to house the documents, using white typewriter-style font against a black background.