The U.S. Congress is set to hold a pivotal hearing on September 9, 2025, focused on transparency regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), commonly known as UFOs. Titled “Restoring Public Trust Through UAP Transparency and Whistleblower Protection,” the session will take place at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) and will be streamed live by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
The hearing will feature three U.S. military veterans who will share their personal experiences with UAP sightings. These accounts aim to shed light on a subject that has long fascinated the public and sparked extensive debate. The term UAP encompasses not only aerial phenomena but also unusual occurrences in water and space, as well as objects that appear to transition between these environments.
Task Force Leadership and Objectives
The Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, established in January 2025, is chaired by Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.). She has expressed strong concerns regarding the government’s transparency on UAP-related matters. In a statement regarding the task force, Luna emphasized, “It is time to give Americans the answers they deserve.” She aims to address a range of issues beyond UAPs, including the Epstein client list, the origins of COVID-19, and the 9/11 files.
Luna highlighted that the upcoming hearing will urge Congress to reconsider which pieces of information should remain classified. “The American people deserve maximum transparency from the federal government on sightings, acquisitions, and examinations of UAPs and whether they pose a potential threat to Americans’ safety,” she stated.
The hearing will also feature George Knapp, a seasoned investigative journalist who has long contended that the U.S. government is withholding evidence about UFOs and potential extraterrestrial life. Knapp gained prominence in the late 1980s while working at KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, where he reported on the claims of notable figures like Bob Lazar and John Lear.
Whistleblower Protections and Past Testimonies
The hearing aims to reinforce the message that whistleblowers who disclose information regarding UAPs should be protected from retaliation. This follows sentiments expressed in previous congressional hearings, such as the testimony of Luis Elizondo, a former U.S. counterintelligence officer. Elizondo claimed that the U.S. government is engaged in a “multi-decade, secretive arms race,” funded by misallocated taxpayer dollars and hidden from oversight bodies.
Elizondo previously suggested that the government should offer protections to UAP whistleblowers. He argued that these individuals, who he described as “desperate to do the right thing,” should be able to come forward without fear of repercussions. For years, whistleblowers have claimed that classified military and intelligence sensors capture evidence of unexplained phenomena and advanced aircraft, potentially operated by extraterrestrial beings.
Despite these assertions, critics point out that the lack of substantiated evidence undermines the credibility of such claims. The classified nature of these records means that the full extent of the U.S. government’s surveillance capabilities remains undisclosed, leading to ongoing public speculation about the truth behind UAPs.
As the hearing approaches, it is evident that the discourse surrounding UAPs continues to evolve, drawing significant interest from both lawmakers and the public. The outcome of this session may influence future policies regarding government transparency and the classification of information related to unidentified phenomena.