President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is directing senior administration officials to begin identifying and releasing government records related to UFOs, unidentified aerial phenomena, and extraterrestrial life.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the move comes in response to strong public interest in the topic.

“Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters,” Trump wrote.

“GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he added.

The announcement drew praise from lawmakers who have been pushing for greater transparency on classified matters. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who chairs the House Oversight Committee’s task force on the declassification of federal secrets, welcomed the decision.

“Looks like we are about to have a ton of hearings on this :)! Thank you @POTUS!!!” Luna wrote on X.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), another member of the declassification panel, echoed that sentiment, posting, “It’s time. Thank you ⁦@realDonaldTrump.”

Earlier in the day, Trump criticized Barack Obama over remarks the former president made in a recent interview in which he suggested aliens are “real.”

“He gave classified information, he’s not supposed to be doing that,” the president told reporters aboard Air Force One.

“I don’t know if they’re real or not, but I can tell you he gave classified information.”

“He made a big mistake,” Trump went on. “He took it out of classified information. No, I don’t have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it.”

Obama made his comments during an interview with podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen, stating that while he had not personally “seen” aliens, he was certain that “they’re not being kept in Area 51.”

He later clarified that his response came in “the spirit of the speed round” portion of the interview, explaining that he was referring to the statistical likelihood of life existing somewhere else in the vast universe.

Obama also said he saw “no evidence” of alien life during his time as commander-in-chief.

Following Trump’s announcement about releasing government files, Cohen responded on social media after facing criticism for not pressing Obama further during the interview.

“Yall [complained] at me about a follow up question but now we’re gonna get the truth about aliens and UFOs you’re welcome,” Cohen wrote.