On October 18, 2024, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder addressed lingering questions about UFOs and extraterrestrial visits to Earth, asserting there is no evidence to support such occurrences. During a briefing, Ryder responded to a question about the possibility of UFOs and aliens on Earth, stating, “The truth is, we have no evidence to indicate extraterrestrial life has visited the planet.”

In line with these comments, Ryder reiterated previous findings from the Department of Defense (DoD), which in July 2022 established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). This office aims to detect, identify, and analyze unidentified objects in or around U.S. military airspace, focusing on threats to operational safety and national security, including anomalous airborne and trans-medium objects.

In November, the DoD launched a public website for reports on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), often termed UFOs. After numerous investigations, the DoD reported in March 2024 that there was no indication any UAPs were of extraterrestrial origin, and noted that claims of reverse-engineered alien technology lacked credible evidence. Additionally, a report suggested that instances of mistaken identity—where classified military programs were misinterpreted as UFO encounters—likely contributed to public misconceptions.

Despite global interest and speculation surrounding UAPs, Ryder confirmed no unauthorized or illegal withholding of information from Congress, with many UFO-related claims stemming from “circular reporting” among a small group of individuals. The DoD’s findings underscore the absence of credible evidence linking UAPs to extraterrestrial sources, reaffirming their stance on the matter