The Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets convened a hearing titled “Restoring Public Trust Through UAP Transparency and Whistleblower Protection” to discuss government disclosure regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). Witnesses addressed concerns about the lack of information from federal agencies, including the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and the intelligence community. The hearing also focused on how Congress could better protect whistleblowers who report on UAP-related matters.
Journalist George Knapp stated, “[You] know, the public has been told over and over since the late 40s, ‘there’s nothing to worry about here.’ These mysterious craft seen by millions of people in the skies, in the oceans, over the land, ‘are not real. They’re not a threat. The witnesses are wrong. They’re crackpots. Don’t believe it.’ That changed for me. What got me hooked is the paper trail. Documents that were squeezed out of the us government after the FOIA—Freedom of Information Act—became the law of the land. And those documents paint a much different picture than what the public, the press, and Congress have been told over many years. The documents from military and intelligence personnel behind closed doors admit that ‘these things are real. They’re not fictitious. They can fly in formation, they’re evasive, and they outperform any aircraft known to exist, including ours.’ The public, of course, as I said, has been told something much different.”
Chief Alexandro Wiggins highlighted safety concerns for aviation and maritime operations: “I want to underscore three points for the Task Force and the Committee. Aviation and maritime safety: when crews and watchstanders observe objects that maneuver or accelerate in ways that does not match known profiles and do not, and do so near our ships and aircraft, that is first and foremost a safety issue. Standardized checklist and training should ensure we capture the best possible sensor data in real time, including air settings, slant range estimates, and bearing and range altitude snapshots, and immediate change of chain of custody for any recordings.”
Witnesses emphasized that withholding information damages trust in government institutions.
U.S. Air Force veteran Jeffrey Nuccetelli testified about transparency: “Transparency is the foundation of truth. Without it, witnesses like us are dismissed. [P]rotect the witnesses. Many stay silent out of fear for their careers, reputations, and the safety of their families. Protect them and you will embolden others to join this cause. These phenomena challenge our deepest assumptions about reality, consciousness, and our place in the universe. Exploring them can unlock transformative breakthroughs in technology biology,and human understanding.” Chief Wiggins added: “Reporting without stigma protection without retribution.Sailors need to know that reporting UAP encounters will not harm their careers.Congress can help by reinforcing witness protectionand by directingthe relevant office to maintain confidential destigmatized channelsfor service members who step forward with data.”
Knapp further noted challenges faced by whistleblowers: “Men who have seen strange thingsand stepped forwardto tellthe worldabout it uh whistleblowersand witnesseswho step upare routinely insulted belittledor worse.They riskedtheir reputations,their careers,their clearances,their livelihoods,and sometimes uh much more thanthat even their freedom.Uh Iknowthat oneofthe goals oftasks force here istofigureoutways top rotectwhistleblowersandwitnesses.” Dylan Borland echoed these difficulties: “Numerous individuals have come forwardin various waysto revealthe truthofUAPrealityas patriotsand defendersofour nation.Yetmany feel discarded,isolated hopeless separatedfromthe countrythey serve.Efforts tor ectifythis situationforallwhistleblowershavebeen difficultintroubling.”
Lawmakers questioned how Congress might improve protections for whistleblowers providing details on classified programs or spending related to UAPs.
Rep.Tim Burchett asked,“HowcanCongress further increasewhistleblowerprotections?” Knapp responded,“Ithinkyougotto unleashthedogsandgotrackdownthemoneyandwhereitgoes,becausealotofthisstuffhasbeenmovedoutofgovernment.AsyouknowRep.Burchett,it’sbeengivento privatecontractors whostasheditaway.They’vehaditforsolongthatthere’snobodyleftinsidegovernmentorveryfewwhoknowwhereitis.” When asked if contractors keep information away from Freedom of Information Act requests,Burchett continued,“Andtheydo thattokeepusfromFOIAcorrect?” Knapp replied,“Yeah,it’stokeepitfromFOIA.AndIthinkthatthecontractorsfedthestuffforveryverylongtimesettheirownstandardsabouwhoisallowedtoknowwhat.And it’saverysmallgroupthatevercracksthat.IthinkRepresentativeLunahasbeenlookingattheuseofclassifications,tohidethings.I’mnotsurethateven thiscommitteeg ettingsecurityclearancesthatshouldallowyoutoseethisstuffwouldallowyoutofollowwhereitreallygoes.”
Rep.Eric Burlison sought adviceon improving internal protocols.Wiggins answered:“Thankyousir.Asanactive-dutyNavymemberourmissionistocarryouttheship’smissionorthecommand’smission.Andweonageneralbasisdonthaveknowledgeofwhattodowhenweseethingslikethis.Wejustdont.Weretheretodourmissionanddowhatsawhatsoldofus.Right.SoIthinkwhatwouldbeimportantisgivingactive-dutymembersaclearwayofbeingabletoreportthingslikethistowhereitgetstothispoint,andensuringthatwehavestandardlevelofunderstandingthattherewouldntbeanylevelofreprisaloranythinghappeningbecauseyouknow…IvebeenintheNavyforalmost24yearsbutwhataboutthesailorsthat havebeeninforyearsthatexperiencething slikethis?Theyrenotgoingtohavetheknowledgeorthey’llprobablybealittlebitmorefearfultospeakupbeingatthattheircareerisisjuststarting.”
Rep.Scott Perry asked about follow-up investigations.Nuccetelli explained:“Weconductedinvestigationsinrealtime.Wedocumentalltheevidence.ButasfarasanythingfromhigherupIdontknowiftherewasaninvestigationnoinformationcam edownonwhatweshould.” Perry followed up asking if he was ever interviewed at someone else’s request; Nuccetelli replied,“Idontbelieveso.” Perry pressed furtheron whether this was unusual,given thenatureofsensitiveoperations.
Rep.Nancy Mace exploredwhetherUAPincidentscouldbepartofa governmentpsychologicaloperation.Knapp responded:“Entirelypossible.Imeanourgovenmentandothergovernments haveadmittedthattheyvetriedtouseUFOstocoversecretprojectsbutI thinktheyalsodosomereverseengineeringofthoseclaims.So yearsafterpeoplestartseeing UFOsoverArea51forexampletheycomeupwithastory.That wasaweekweplantedthatstory.So,Ireadinamajornewspaperjustacoupleweeksago theyplantedthisstoryinairforce.Colonel.Wentoutinthedesertwenttoabarand[theyweregiven]somefakeUFOphotos.AndthatshowthestoryaboutArea51startedwhichispreposterous.”
James Comer currently serves as Kentucky's 1st district representative in Congress since 2016 after replacing Ed Whitfield (source). Before his current role he served in Kentucky's House from 2001-2012.He was borninCarthage,Tennessee,in1972,livesinTompkinsville,and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BS degree.
