“Bringing UFOs Into the Light: Congress Confronts Secrecy and Unanswered Questions on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena”
“Bringing UFOs Into the Light: Congress Confronts Secrecy and Unanswered Questions on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena”
The U.S. Congress held a pivotal hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) today, November 13, 2024, titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth.” Led by Representatives Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), the hearing marked a watershed moment in the government’s approach to UAPs, casting aside decades of secrecy and sparking a public push for understanding these long-elusive phenomena.
Chairwoman Nancy Mace opened the hearing with a call for transparency, stressing, “This hearing is intended to help Congress and the American people to learn the extent of the programs and activities our government has engaged in with respect to UAPs—and what knowledge it has yielded.” Highlighting the need for public accountability, Mace added, “Taxpayers deserve to know how much has been invested. They shouldn’t be kept in the dark to spare the Pentagon embarrassment.” She characterized the Department of Defense’s track record on transparency as “abysmal,” pointing to excessive document classification and reluctance to provide Congress with essential information.
Four expert witnesses shared unique perspectives, unveiling new dimensions of the UAP conversation.
Tim Gallaudet, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, recounted a 2015 naval exercise where an F/A-18 fighter jet captured the well-known “Go Fast” video, showing an object with extraordinary flight capabilities. Gallaudet further revealed an unusual occurrence: an email containing the video mysteriously disappeared from his and others’ accounts, sparking questions about potential data interference or a cover-up.
Luis Elizondo, former Department of Defense official, delivered one of the most striking testimonies, asserting that “UAPs are real.” He described an international arms race centered on UAP technologies, with unidentified advanced crafts monitoring military sites worldwide. Elizondo also shared knowledge of government programs exploring unconventional research methods, including psychic powers and remote viewing, underscoring the breadth of U.S. intelligence efforts to grapple with the unknown.
Michael Gold, former NASA associate administrator, highlighted the need to dismantle the stigma around UAPs, urging for an open scientific approach to encourage rational inquiry. “Without open scientific dialogue, we can’t expect to reach any meaningful understanding,” Gold stated, underscoring the urgency of normalizing UAP discussions within mainstream scientific and government frameworks.
Michael Shellenberger, journalist and founder of Public, argued for legislative action to cement UAP transparency, framing it as a critical matter of national security. He urged Congress to build on this momentum, asserting that openness is essential to assessing the true nature and potential threats posed by these phenomena.
The hearing unveiled tantalizing details, including hints of a secretive government program referred to as “Immaculate Constellation.” While specifics remain scarce, this program appears to represent a hidden layer of UAP-related research. Past hearings had already stirred controversy with claims that the U.S. had recovered non-human biological materials from crash sites—a claim that, while not substantiated in this session, loomed over the discussions. Gallaudet also expanded the conversation to underwater anomalies, citing cases of unidentified submersible objects that may pose security threats, emphasizing the potential for UAPs to operate in domains beyond the skies.
Download the full report on Project Immaculate Constellation.
The government’s current stance represents a significant shift from historical norms. For decades, public discussion of UFOs (now UAPs) was relegated to fringe status, often associated with ridicule. This hearing, however, has pulled these discussions into the mainstream, solidifying their place within national security and scientific inquiry. As Representative Mace noted, “This is about cutting through the secrecy surrounding this issue”—a sentiment that resonates with a public eager for answers.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established in July 2022, has already shown that the government is committed to more structured UAP reporting and data collection. Yet, a March Pentagon report maintained a cautious stance, asserting that no evidence of alien spacecraft has been found. This contradiction—between government caution and explosive witness claims—reflects the complexity and sensitivity of unraveling the UAP enigma.
Today’s hearing could well be remembered as a landmark event, setting the stage for continued public discussion, rigorous scientific exploration, and policy change on how the government handles UAP-related information. As Michael Shellenberger stated, “This level of transparency is crucial for national security.” While definitive answers remain elusive, the hearing has opened a dialogue that promises to bridge government secrecy and public demand for knowledge.
As the conversation around UAPs evolves, the drive for scientific inquiry and public accountability is likely to gain momentum, pushing UAP discussions from the realm of myth into serious, investigative scrutiny. Congress’s commitment to openness may well mark the beginning of a new era, one in which the U.S. government’s approach to unexplained aerial phenomena moves from shadows into a brighter, more transparent future.
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter.
Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later.
Read untrusted, non-award-winning journalism. Just a few dollars.
