A vast archive of declassified US government files vanished from The Black Vault just hours after Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to release all documents relating to aliens, unidentified aerial phenomena and unidentified flying objects. The server wipe affected 3.8 million files, including CIA projects, military reports and other sensitive documents collected over decades by researcher John Greenewald Jr. The timing has raised questions about whether the deletion was accidental or deliberate.
The Black Vault and Trump’s UFO Directive
The Black Vault is a publicly accessible archive that has compiled thousands of declassified US government documents on UFOs, covert programmes and alleged alien technology. Greenewald has spent more than 30 years submitting Freedom of Information Act requests to the CIA, FBI and other agencies to build the collection, which includes files dating back to the 1940s and 1950s.
Through his Truth Social account, Trump’s 20 February order directed the Pentagon and related agencies to release any records pertaining to extraterrestrial life and unidentified aerial phenomena. The order came after Trump criticised former President Barack Obama for publicly acknowledging the existence of aliens, claiming Obama had disclosed classified information.
Details of the Server Wipe
The Black Vault’s server was reportedly wiped on 20 February, with hundreds of gigabytes of files deleted and file ownership logs altered. Some directories had their permissions changed without explanation, though Greenewald noted the hosting provider said the incident appeared to be a deletion rather than corruption.
Greenewald stated on X that he did not fully suspect foul play but could not rule it out. All 3.8 million files were backed up in secure locations and the site was restored shortly after the deletion.
The timing of the incident, coming less than 24 hours after Trump’s order, has prompted scrutiny from researchers and observers of government transparency and UFO disclosure.
Possible Causes and Technical Perspectives
Data wipes of this scale can occur for several reasons, including routine server maintenance, software glitches, failing hardware, or human error. Hackers can also exploit weak passwords, outdated software or phishing attacks to delete files intentionally. The hosting provider reportedly ruled out corruption, leaving the possibility of an intentional erasure unresolved.
Greenewald described the event as ‘very oddly timed server maintenance done by the hosting provider that went awry.’ He advised others to maintain backups in multiple locations to avoid permanent data loss.
Historical and Political Context
The US government has long denied the recovery or presence of extraterrestrial life, maintaining that no physical evidence exists of non-human craft landing on Earth. Greenewald’s archive includes files related to alleged UFO crash sites, including the 1947 Roswell incident, and details of secret task forces such as Majestic 12. These groups were reportedly tasked with investigating UFO sightings and handling alien technology.
Previous high-profile disclosures, such as heavily redacted documents on President Kennedy’s assassination and the Jeffrey Epstein case, demonstrate the difficulty of obtaining fully transparent records. Critics have also suggested that political motivations may influence UFO disclosure initiatives, raising public interest in the authenticity of any released files.
Public and Media Reaction
The deletion prompted widespread discussion on social media, with users questioning whether the timing was coincidental. Greenewald’s transparency about the backup and restoration process helped alleviate concerns about permanent loss. The incident highlights the sensitivity and complexity of managing large repositories of declassified government data, especially when tied to politically significant directives.