Written Testimony – UAP: Exposing the Truth
On November 13, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives will host a highly anticipated hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), titled “UAP: Exposing the Truth,” which promises to deliver groundbreaking insights into government handling of UAP information. Key witnesses, including Luis Elizondo, Dr. Tim Gallaudet, Michael Gold, and Michael Shellenberger, are set to present compelling testimonies that reveal, among other things, evidence of UAP concealment, misallocation of taxpayer funds, and government attempts to suppress whistleblowers. With testimonies that span classified military encounters, calls for greater transparency, and proposals for systematic UAP oversight, each witness underscores a shared concern: the need for open, bipartisan dialogue and robust public engagement on UAPs. As revelations about restricted programs and withheld intelligence come to light, this hearing may catalyze shifts in policy, heightening both governmental accountability and public awareness regarding the unknown.
In his recent written testimony, Luis Elizondo highlighted several compelling, less publicized points surrounding unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). He confirmed the reality of UAPs and described an international arms race where the U.S. and certain adversaries possess advanced UAP technologies, concealed from public knowledge through misallocated taxpayer funds. He revealed that his involvement with UAP-related Special Access Programs exposed him to severe repercussions, including intimidation and harassment, which have affected others in the intelligence and military communities as well. Elizondo stated that even the Pentagon’s Public Affairs Office employs a psychological operations officer as the sole contact for UAP inquiries, a move he criticized as fostering a culture of suppression and secrecy. In terms of policy, Elizondo urged for a unified, transparent UAP oversight strategy, stressing the need for a central government entity to oversee UAP matters across agencies like the White House, CIA, NASA, and Department of Energy. He also advocated for a secure whistleblower system to protect those coming forward from retaliation. Emphasizing that Americans are resilient enough to handle the truth, he called for greater transparency and public involvement in UAP disclosure, aiming to restore trust in government institutions and scientific inquiry into these phenomena.
Dr. Tim Gallaudet’s written testimony before the U.S. House Subcommittees highlights his firsthand experience with unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) while in the U.S. Navy, revealing a concerning lack of transparency and accountability. He recounts an incident in 2015 during a Navy exercise where UAP encounters posed significant safety risks, yet received no follow-up or official explanation. Gallaudet emphasizes that the Department of Defense’s restrictive classification practices hinder public and legislative understanding of UAP, implicating a dangerous culture of secrecy. The disappearance of a Navy-secure email regarding UAP footage further exemplifies this troubling trend, suggesting that information may be contained in inaccessible special access programs. Gallaudet advocates for the UAP Disclosure Act, urging Congress to create oversight mechanisms and an independent UAP Records Review Board to release classified UAP data to the public and advance scientific research. He asserts that understanding UAPs, including transmedium objects detected in the ocean, could benefit national security and fuel significant technological advances. Lastly, he calls for a government-wide approach to UAP management to ensure transparency, accountability, and public engagement with what he considers the most pressing issue facing humanity.
In Mr. Michael Gold written testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight, he emphasized the need to confront and eradicate the stigma surrounding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), advocating for a scientific and transparent approach. He praised NASA’s efforts, led by Bill Nelson, to study UAPs, though he highlighted how stigma hinders scientific inquiry, referencing instances like the mocking of Commander Alex Dietrich after her UAP encounter. Gold suggested NASA leverage its popular reputation to foster open discussions, and proposed practical steps to aid UAP research. For instance, NASA could utilize its extensive archival data, employ artificial intelligence to detect anomalies, and gather global information from its international partners. He also highlighted the need for a streamlined UAP reporting process for civilian and commercial pilots, proposing NASA collaborate with the FAA to establish a formal mechanism. This process could build on NASA’s successful Aviation Safety Reporting System, repurposing it to compile civilian UAP data. Gold further proposed the idea of developing specialized instruments to study UAPs, despite recognizing budgetary constraints. His testimony underscored that studying anomalies like UAPs could drive scientific progress and public engagement, comparing it to historical scientific breakthroughs.
In his written testimony, Michael Shellenberger argues that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community (IC) are withholding crucial information regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) from Congress, in direct violation of established oversight protocols. Shellenberger contends that elements within these institutions have long operated clandestine programs, sidestepping legal obligations to inform legislative bodies. He highlights “Immaculate Constellation,” an alleged secretive DOD initiative formed in 2017, described as a “strategic intelligence program” consolidating various UAP observations. According to a whistleblower report, this program holds detailed records and high-quality imagery intelligence, capturing UAPs through multiple advanced military technologies. The report describes incidents like a U.S. F-22 being forced out of its patrol area by UAPs and an unexplained object hovering over a U.S. aircraft carrier, behaving in ways that defy known technology. Shellenberger criticizes the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), tasked with UAP oversight, for errors and inadequate transparency. He calls for Congressional intervention to enforce transparency, expand protections for whistleblowers, and secure full disclosure on UAP-related programs, asserting that such secrecy poses both a democratic and national security concern.
The following statements are witness testimonies for the upcoming joint hearing titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth,” scheduled by the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation and the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, both part of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
The hearing will take place on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:30 AM in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Featured witnesses include Mr. Luis Elizondo, a former Department of Defense official and author; Dr. Tim Gallaudet, Rear Admiral (Ret.) and CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, LLC; Mr. Michael Gold, a former NASA Associate Administrator and current member of NASA’s UAP Independent Study Team; and Mr. Michael Shellenberger, founder of Public. Each witness has provided official statements, “Truth in Testimony” documents, and bios, accessible via the official Congressional link for the event: docs.house.gov.
Written Testimony of Luis Elizondo
Written Testimony of DR. TIM GALLAUDET, REAR ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY (RET.)
Written Testimony of Mike Gold
Written Testimony of Michael Shellenberger
As the U.S. House hearing on UAPs draws to a close, the testimonies of Elizondo, Gallaudet, Gold, and Shellenberger leave an indelible mark, calling for unprecedented transparency and accountability from the government on this issue. Their appeals for centralized oversight, secure whistleblower protections, and a collaborative approach to UAP research reflect an urgent need to re-establish trust with the public. These testimonies not only challenge a longstanding culture of secrecy within military and intelligence sectors but also advocate for leveraging UAP research to propel scientific and technological advancement. Whether through new legislation, such as the UAP Disclosure Act, or through bolstered congressional oversight, this hearing may represent a pivotal moment in reshaping U.S. policy on UAPs. By fostering an open dialogue on these unexplained phenomena, the government has a unique opportunity to align its approach with public interest and scientific curiosity, offering a path forward that honors both national security and the American public’s right to know.