US government reportedly prepares response plan for possible contact with extraterrestrials

German outlet Bild reports that the US government has prepared a possible course of action for a scenario in which contact with representatives of an extraterrestrial civilization is officially confirmed. Scientists and experts say they were briefed on the plan during government and intelligence agency meetings.

Briefing at the intelligence office

One such meeting took place at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, where officials met with the government's Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Scientific Advisory Committee. Its members include psychologist Janice Wilhauer, Harvard astronomy professor Avi Loeb, and immunology researcher professor Garry Nolan. Following the meeting, Wilhauer wrote on Substack about the US approach to a potential contact scenario, stressing that the plan's existence does not mean the government is confirming extraterrestrial life exists — rather, officials consider the possibility serious enough to warrant preparedness.

Leading the response, protecting the public

Should contact be confirmed, the US intends to take the lead in international coordination and a joint global response, treating the event as a matter concerning all of humanity. Significant attention is also given to preparing the public for potential psychological, religious and social consequences. Officials are reportedly considering special training for police officers, medical personnel, mental health professionals and local government staff, aimed at preventing mass panic and ensuring access to reliable information. The plan also envisions establishing assistance centers for people whose worldview would be significantly shaken by such an event. It remains unclear when or how the plan would actually be activated.

This is not the first time US officials have publicly discussed plans related to UFOs. In February, reports emerged that President Donald Trump might release classified government UFO documents. Shortly afterward, an online archive containing roughly 3.8 million declassified UFO-related files was unexpectedly wiped. Former President Barack Obama has previously dismissed conspiracy theories about concealment, saying information of that scale could not be hidden for long.