Please note that the following column appeared in the March 17, 2024 digital edition of
the Roswell Daily Record and is republished with permission.
By Kevin Wright
In a society plagued by dwindling trust in its institutions, the United States finds itself at
a crossroads where the truth about Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) remains
shrouded in mystery and government secrecy. Recent revelations from the All-domain
Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) only serve to deepen public skepticism, highlighting
the urgent need for Congress to hold public hearings with whistleblowers possessing
direct knowledge of secret government programs, including the crash retrieval and
reverse engineering of technologies of unknown origin from a nonhuman intelligence.
Establishing the AARO under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal
Year 2023 was a step toward addressing the pervasive curiosity surrounding UAP.
However, the recent AARO report, Congressionally mandated to detail the historical
record of government involvement and the intelligence community’s role in investigating
UAP dating back to 1945, has done little to assuage public concerns. Instead, it appears
to be a mere façade of transparency, failing to acknowledge the depth of government
knowledge and engagement with UAP phenomena.
Public opinion reflects a profound skepticism toward the government’s handling of UAP-
related information. A YouGov poll revealed that over 60% of Americans believe the
government is concealing information about UFOs, despite the AARO report’s
assertions to the contrary. Similarly, a July 2023 Ipsos poll found that 42% of Americans
believe in UAP, with a significant portion suspecting that the government possesses
more information than it publicly discloses. This sentiment is echoed in a Pew Research
Center poll, where only 16% of Americans trust the government to do the right thing
consistently.
The lack of trust in governmental institutions is not unfounded. Years of misinformation,
half-truths, and outright lies regarding UAP have eroded public confidence. From the
infamous Roswell incident to ongoing disinformation campaigns, the government’s track
record on transparency regarding UAP is abysmal. Former AARO Director Sean
Kirkpatrick’s admission, “As an intelligence officer, I would expect all of you to expect
me to lie to you,” only underscores the pervasive culture of secrecy within intelligence
circles.
The AARO report, authored under Kirkpatrick’s leadership, is emblematic of this culture
of secrecy. Instead of providing a comprehensive account of government involvement
with UAP, it deflects blame onto whistleblowers and even Congress, failing to address
the substantial evidence suggesting a concerted effort to obfuscate the truth. The report
perpetuates a narrative of government concealment rather than transparency by
dismissing the public’s legitimate concerns.
Congress has a duty to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency in
governance. Public hearings with whistleblowers possessing direct first-hand knowledge
of secret government programs are essential to uncovering the truth about UAP. By
providing a platform for whistleblowers to share their insights, Congress can empower
the public to make informed judgments about the government’s handling of UAP-related
information.
Moreover, public hearings would serve as a crucial step toward rebuilding trust in
governmental institutions. In an era of widespread disillusionment with Congress, the
Presidency, and the Supreme Court, transparency regarding UAP could signal a
renewed commitment to openness and honesty in governance. By actively engaging
with whistleblowers and addressing public concerns, Congress can demonstrate its
willingness to confront difficult truths and hold the government accountable for its
actions.
The implications of UAP extend far beyond mere curiosity about extraterrestrial life.
They raise profound questions about national security, technological advancement, and
the nature of reality itself. As such, the public has a right to know the full extent of
government involvement with UAP and the potential implications for society at large.
Congress must prioritize transparency and accountability by holding public hearings
with whistleblowers on UAP. The recent AARO report falls short of providing a
comprehensive account of government involvement, reinforcing public skepticism and
distrust. By listening to whistleblowers with direct first-hand knowledge, Congress can
empower the public to make informed judgments and rebuild trust in governmental
institutions. The truth about UAP is out there, waiting to be uncovered. It’s time for
Congress to take the lead in bringing it to light.
