Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on August 12, 2026, that if the Trump administration had more information about unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), President Trump would likely address the public and present evidence such as pictures and videos. In an interview on 'The Katie Miller Podcast,' Rubio expressed his long-standing interest in UAPs, noting that there are unidentified objects flying over military installations. He emphasized the importance of investigating these occurrences seriously, stating, 'I don't know who it is. I don't know what it is, but there are things flying over our military installations, and they're not ours.'
Rubio clarified that he does not consider the UAP issue a conspiracy theory, although he acknowledged that some people believe there is a government cover-up. He mentioned that if the administration had substantial evidence, it would be shared publicly.
Additionally, Rubio admitted to previously using UAP discussions as a diversionary tactic during his Senate tenure but maintained that it is a legitimate topic deserving attention.
The Pentagon has released several UAP videos, and Trump had previously directed federal agencies to allow former employees to share information about UAP investigations without facing penalties from nondisclosure agreements. This initiative aims to encourage transparency regarding UAPs.
Joshua Golembeske, a lead UFO investigator, criticized Rubio's comments about using UAPs as a diversion, arguing that such statements could discourage witnesses from reporting their experiences. He highlighted the ongoing challenges related to transparency and communication about UAP investigations.