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Darrell Evans, Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability, Purdue University

While the US government is investigating unidentified anomalous phenomena, academic researchers studying them face stigma

UAP United States Donald Trump Pentagon UFO
A famous UAP video shows an unexplained object as it soars high along the clouds, traveling against the wind. Department of Defense via AP

President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon and other federal agencies to begin releasing government files related to UFOs and unidentified anomalous phenomena – called UAP – in February 2026, following years of pressure from Congress, military whistleblowers and the public.

Congress formally mandated UAP investigations through the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2022. The Pentagon’s official UAP investigative body, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, AARO, now carries a caseload exceeding 2,000 reports dating back to 1945. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed this figure earlier this year.

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