Congress members are demanding increased transparency from the Department of Defense regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), formerly known as UFOs, setting the stage for a highly anticipated hearing next week. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) have voiced their frustration with the Pentagon's reluctance to disclose information, describing their efforts to access records and speak with witnesses as being met with significant resistance.
During a recent visit to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the representatives, along with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), were reportedly denied access to crucial information, including pilot testimonies and visual evidence related to potential UAP sightings. This obstruction, according to Luna, led to a direct confrontation with the base's commanding general. Burchett emphasized that their visit was prompted by whistleblower claims and the expectation of a UAP briefing, which ultimately did not materialize.
The representatives' persistence comes ahead of a House subcommittee hearing scheduled for next Wednesday, where former military personnel David Grusch, Ryan Graves, and David Fravor will testify about their UAP experiences. Grusch, a former Air Force veteran, has previously alleged the existence of a clandestine government program dedicated to retrieving and reverse-engineering crashed UAPs. Graves, a former Navy fighter pilot, and Fravor, known for his encounter with the "Tic Tac UFO," will also share their firsthand accounts.
While the Pentagon maintains that it takes congressional reporting requirements seriously, the representatives argue that the current level of transparency is insufficient. They assert that the American public has a right to know about potential threats to national security and public safety posed by UAPs. The upcoming hearing is expected to shed light on these issues and challenge the government's handling of UAP-related information.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Pentagon's specialized UAP investigation unit, is currently examining approximately 800 cases, with a small percentage deemed "truly anomalous." NASA is also conducting its own independent investigation into UAPs. Both organizations are anticipated to release their findings this summer.
