By Alex Chen | Monday, 20 April 2026
President Donald Trump’s push to declassify government files on unidentified flying objects could expose data that the Pentagon and intelligence agencies cannot explain, according to Harvard University astrophysicist Avi Loeb.
Trump announced in February that federal agencies would begin identifying and releasing files related to UFOs, also known as unidentified aerial phenomena, citing strong public interest and a need for transparency. Recent statements from the president indicate the first wave of documents could be made public “very, very soon,” with officials preparing material that may include radar data, satellite imagery, and military video.
Loeb stated in remarks that discussions with lawmakers and his own research suggest the government is grappling with unexplained observations. “We spoke for about 90 minutes, and it definitely looks like there are objects that either the intelligence agencies or the Pentagon cannot figure out,” he said.
The anticipated release is expected to be published on a government website, widely speculated to be Aliens.gov, as part of a broader effort to centralize information on UFO encounters. Loeb cautioned that not all information will be made public due to national security concerns tied to classified sensors and defense capabilities.
“I expect only parts that relate to national security to be redacted or not released at all,” he added. “But it’s really something that all of us should have a look at.”
Loeb, who leads Harvard’s Galileo Project, emphasized that any conclusions must be grounded in scientific analysis rather than speculation. “It’s all about the data,” he said. “It’s not a matter of belief or conviction or opinion.”
His team plans to independently analyze any released material using advanced observational tools and artificial intelligence. Loeb explained that his project uses triangulation and machine learning to measure distances, speeds, and trajectories of aerial objects, aiming to determine whether any exceed the capabilities of known human technology.
“We are still searching for something that is not human made,” he said. “Anything human made is boring as far as I’m concerned.”
Loeb argued that the most plausible explanation for limited disclosure is uncertainty within government agencies rather than a cover-up of alien life. “The most reasonable scenario that I can imagine is there are things that the government cannot figure out,” he noted.
He also stated that greater transparency could strengthen national security by improving detection and analysis of unidentified objects, citing incidents such as the Chinese spy balloon that initially went undetected. However, Loeb added that any discovery of extraterrestrial technology would represent a profound revelation for humanity.
