IC Oversight & Authorities — 2026-05-08

Pentagon Releases First Batch of Declassified UFO Files Through PURSUE Archive

The Pentagon on Friday released an initial 162-file tranche through the new PURSUE archive, following a February directive from President Trump to make government UAP documents public. The release draws from the FBI, DOD, NASA, and State Department and comprises 120 PDFs, 28 videos totaling 41 minutes, and 14 image files covering reported incidents from 2020 to 2026, alongside FBI case materials dating to 1947. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the files had been "hidden behind classifications," and the Pentagon confirmed that 108 of the 162 documents retain redactions protecting witness identities, facility locations, and unrelated military sites. The department said additional tranches will be posted on a rolling basis every few weeks as files are discovered and declassified.

Analysis
The PURSUE archive's inaugural tranche marks a shift from episodic UAP disclosure to a structured, multi-agency declassification pipeline backed by a standing presidential directive, corroborated across CNN, NBC, and CBS. FBI materials dating to 1947 reflect accumulated collection depth across multiple administrations, not a contemporaneous dump. The 108 redacted documents set the floor: witness identities, facility locations, and collateral military equities remain shielded. The Pentagon is likely to post at least two additional tranches by end of 2026. The combination of open-ended scheduling and pervasive redaction fits a managed disclosure strategy designed to build public credibility while indefinitely deferring the most consequential materials.

4 sources

Pentagon releases initial batch of declassified files detailing UFOs - CNN
Department of War Releases Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Files in Historic Transparency Effort - U.S. Department of War
Pentagon begins release of UFO files - NBC News
Pentagon begins releasing new UFO files, unveiling dozens of photos, videos and documents - CBS News