Pentagon launches new website for UFO files

On Friday, the Trump administration launched a new website to house a collection of new, never-before-seen files about unidentified flying objects (UFOs), according to the Pentagon. The Pentagon stated that this collection of files will grow over time as additional documents are released on a rolling basis. The launch of this portal represents a direct effort by the administration to centralize these materials for public access.

According to the Pentagon, the release of these documents is the result of an interagency effort called the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). This initiative is the interagency effort responsible for the release, and it includes the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) as a component of the broader interagency effort. The coordination of these various agencies highlights the scale of the initiative to compile and release these files.

The release of these documents follows a December 2017 news story, broken by outlets including The New York Times and Politico, regarding a $22 million classified Pentagon program called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). That program was tasked with investigating military encounters with unknown objects. Public interest in unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)—the modern term for UFOs—has grown since then, particularly following U.S. drone sightings in 2024. This interest has also influenced pop culture, as seen in the 2023 release of the film Jules. Ahead of the official launch of the new website, the independent news site 404 Media spotted in March that the domain aliens.gov had been registered, signaling early preparations for the release.

While the site is now live, a statement from the Department of War clarified that many files have “not yet been analyzed for resolution of any anomalies.” This lack of analysis comes amid ongoing public concerns regarding government cover-ups. Today, however, many Americans are also focused on other daily pressures, which may affect how the public receives this release. The tension between public curiosity and the lack of completed analysis remains a key aspect of the disclosure.

Why it matters

This launch represents a significant shift in U.S. government transparency regarding military encounters with unknown objects, moving from classified programs to public disclosure. By establishing a centralized portal, the initiative provides a structured channel for releasing information that was previously restricted.