UFOs: the Pentagon reveals more than 160 documents long classified as defense secrets

The Pentagon made public on Friday more than 160 previously classified documents on unidentified flying objects (UFOs), relaunching a subject that has fascinated the Americans for decades… and Donald Trump, at the origin of this publication.

In a press release, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth justified this decision by a concern for transparency: “These documents, long protected by defense secrecy, have fueled speculation. It is time that the American people can have access to them.”

The archives are now available for consultation on a dedicated page on the Pentagon website.

“Flying discs” from 1947

Among the published documents are several reports dating from December 1947 discussing “flying discs”, emblematic expression of the first major waves of observations in the United States.

Another file mentions an incident that occurred in 2023: three separate teams of federal police officers allegedly claimed to have observed orange orbs in the sky emitting or launching smaller red orbs.

Trump behind the publication

Donald Trump announced in February that he wanted to order federal agencies to “publish” files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs.

The same day, the American president attacked Barack Obama, whom he accused of having provided classified information on the subject.

A few days earlier, in a podcast, the former Democratic president had joked about the existence of extraterrestrials: “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them.” He then clarified that he had never been aware of any proof of extraterrestrial contact during his presidency.

No confirmed extraterrestrial elements

Interest in UFOs has revived in recent years in the United States, with numerous reports of unexplained aerial objects. The authorities have particularly considered the option of advanced technologies tested by foreign powers.

But in March 2024, the Pentagon concluded, in an official report, that it had no evidence linking these phenomena to an extraterrestrial origin. Several sightings turned out to be weather balloons, satellites, spy planes or other classic activities.