The Trump administration on Friday released a new batch of files, photos and videos related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, marking what officials described as the first phase of a broader transparency effort.
The materials were made public under a new initiative known as the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, or PURSUE. Officials said the program is designed to consolidate and release classified information from across the federal government, previously, Fox News reported.
In a statement, the White House said the release includes “never-before-seen” materials and allows the public to review the information without security clearance. Officials framed the move as part of a wider effort to provide access to data that has historically been restricted.
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President Donald Trump previously directed agencies to begin identifying and declassifying records related to UFOs, extraterrestrial life and related phenomena. The administration said additional releases are expected in the future.
Among the materials included in the initial disclosure are photographs taken during the Apollo 12 and Apollo 17 missions. Some images appear to show unidentified objects or light patterns captured during space operations.
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Transcripts of communications from the Apollo 17 mission were also released, documenting exchanges between operators and command personnel describing unusual objects observed during maneuvering.
“Now we’ve got a few very bright particles or fragments or something that go drifting by as we maneuver,” one operator said, according to the transcript. “There’s a whole bunch of big ones on my window down there — just bright,” another added.
Additional images from FBI archives included in the release show unidentified objects appearing alongside U.S. aircraft during a 1999 incident.
🇺🇸 Neil Armstrong documented an unidentified object near the moon, and that report just became public in the Trump UFO files.
Armstrong: “The first unusual thing that we saw I guess was 1 day out or something pretty close to the moon. It had a sizable dimension to it, so we put… https://t.co/1PyyMLP3Q9 pic.twitter.com/xGhlJqRxOr
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 8, 2026
The release follows earlier comments from former President Barack Obama that drew attention to the subject, prompting questions about government knowledge of extraterrestrial phenomena.
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Administration officials said the Department of War, intelligence agencies and other federal entities coordinated the effort. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the release represents an effort to address long-standing public interest.
“These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves,” Hegseth said.
One of the newly declassified UFO videos from the US Govt 👇 pic.twitter.com/unx1Cftf2d
— Alex Armstrong (@Alexarmstrong) May 8, 2026
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the intelligence community is continuing to review additional records for future release.
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“Today’s release is the first in what will be an ongoing joint declassification and release effort,” Gabbard said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency is participating in the effort and will continue supporting the review and release of records tied to UAP investigations.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency will continue to analyze data and share findings where possible, emphasizing the importance of scientific evaluation.
Officials said the files are now publicly accessible through a centralized government platform, with additional materials expected to be released as the review process continues.
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