US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have released dozens of previously classified documents about alleged UFO sightings and extraterrestrial life, to provide what they called "unprecedented transparency" to the American people.
The release of long-sought documents and photographs of "unidentified anomalous phenomena" will be followed by future releases as more material is declassified, the US Department of Defense said in a statement.
Trump is the latest in a string of US presidents to release reports of UFOs dating back to the 1940s, which were first partially revealed in the late 1970s. Experts say the group of about 160 files released today contains new video footage of known sightings but does not provide conclusive evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial life, Reuters reports.
The files include a 1947 report on "flying discs," as well as a photograph of "unidentified phenomena" taken from the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 12 lunar mission in 1969, and a transcript from the Apollo 17 crew describing unidentified objects seen from the Moon in 1972.
"Luminous particles" during Apollo 17
Apollo 17 pilot Ronald Evans reported "several very bright particles or fragments, or something moving as we maneuvered," according to the transcript.
"Roger. We understand," mission control responded.
"These files, hidden behind classified information, have long fueled legitimate speculation - and it's time for the American people to see them for themselves," Hegseth said in a statement.
PHOTO: Visual renderings of the UAP released by the US Department of Defense
The release of the records is likely to spark a new debate about government secrecy and the possible existence of life in the cosmos.
"While previous administrations have failed to be transparent on this issue, with these new documents and videos, the people can decide for themselves: 'WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?'" Trump said in a statement. "Have fun and enjoy!"
The move was welcomed by US representatives Tim Burchett and Ana Paulina Luna, both advocates for declassifying UFO files. Luna said additional material is expected in about 30 days.
"The records show that UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena) are not just a matter of speculation or public curiosity," Harvard University astrophysicist Avi Loeb said in an email to Reuters. "The government has been collecting records."
The images from Apollo 12 and 17 are fascinating, but they could be the result of an asteroid hitting the lunar surface, Loeb said. He added that more interesting material is likely to come, but that it will take more time to declassify it.
Diversion from political problems?
Some critics have interpreted the release of UFO data as a distraction from Trump's political woes, including an unpopular US military campaign against Iran and public pressure to release additional files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Reuters reports.
"I really don't care about UFO files. I'm just not interested. I'm sick of the 'look, shiny object' type of propaganda," former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on the X network.
UAP investigator Mick West said the former President Joe Biden's administration has uncovered much of the same information as in today's release. West, who creates software to analyze UAP video footage, said the files provide no new evidence of the possible existence of extraterrestrial life.
"They are evidence of our inability to identify a small white dot that is very far away," said the Sacramento-based analyst, adding that the shapes in UAP videos are often the result of diffraction by the camera lens due to bright light.
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