For years, discussing UFOs—or, as we now more formally call them, Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (ZAPs)—was like donning a neon sign that read, “I’m a crackpot.” As someone who’s followed this subject for a long time, I know that feeling all too well. Whenever I tried to bring up UAPs in serious conversations, I’d brace myself for the inevitable eye-rolls or those polite smiles that screamed, Oh no, not this lady. The stigma was suffocating, and the topic was relegated to the realm of conspiracy theorists and sci-fi daydreamers. But recently, that narrative has begun to shift, and I’ve been watching with a mixture of anticipation and hope. On November 13, 2024, I eagerly tuned in to watch the latest congressional hearing on UAPs—one I’d been waiting for ever since the explosive session in July 2023. This wasn’t just any event for me; it felt personal, as if years of being brushed off were finally being vindicated on the world’s biggest stage.
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability titled the session “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth,” and even the name felt like a breath of fresh air, signaling just how far we’ve come from the days when this topic was relegated to late-night jokes and Hollywood fantasies. This was no fringe gathering; it was a serious, high-stakes congressional hearing with highly credible witnesses—people with careers in the military, intelligence, and science—providing testimonies that could change the way we understand reality itself. As I watched from the edge of my seat, it struck me that this wasn’t just another hearing: it was the kind of event I’d dreamed of seeing, a public moment that might finally lift the veil on questions that have haunted humanity for decades. These weren’t conspiracy theorists or enthusiasts but respected professionals giving accounts that demanded to be taken seriously.
Luis Elizondo, the former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), was the first to take the stand, and he didn’t hold back. When Representative Nancy Mace asked if the U.S. government has indeed conducted secret UAP crash retrieval programs, Elizondo answered with unwavering conviction: “Yes, ma’am.” This wasn’t a vague or hedged response. It was a flat-out confirmation from a man who once held a pivotal role in the Department of Defense. And he went even further, confirming that these programs aim to reverse-engineer technology that appears not of human origin. Just imagine: we’re talking about the possibility that otherworldly technology exists, right here on Earth, and our government has been studying it, for likely decades now.
Dr. Tim Gallaudet, a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy, provided a similarly unsettling account. He recounted a 2015 incident during naval exercises where he received an email containing video footage of a UAP encounter. By the next day, that email had mysteriously vanished from his account and from the inboxes of everyone else who had received it. This wasn’t a random glitch—it was a deliberate and unexplained disappearance. As Gallaudet spoke, it became clear that there’s a level of secrecy surrounding UAPs that goes beyond protecting national security. The lack of transparency, the missing evidence, the systemic cover-ups—it all points to something that feels more calculated and, frankly, more disturbing.
Michael Gold, former NASA Associate Administrator, made one of the most impassioned arguments of the hearing, emphasizing that the stigma surrounding UAPs has not only impeded public understanding but has also held back legitimate scientific research. “We must overcome the pernicious stigma that continues to impede scientific dialogue and open discussions about these phenomena,” he said. For me, this hit close to home. As someone studying psychology, I know firsthand how dangerous stigma can be in shaping behavior and shutting down discourse. Psychology is a field rooted in understanding the human mind, behavior, and societal attitudes. It’s also a profession that demands credibility, and any association with “fringe” topics could jeopardize that. Yet, watching Gold speak, I felt a sense of vindication. The scientific community might have missed major discoveries simply because people feared being labeled as crazy. We might be on the verge of breakthroughs that could redefine human understanding, and we’ve let the fear of looking foolish hold us back.
And this culture of ridicule and disbelief hasn’t just affected everyday people like me; it’s been a nightmare for journalists who dared to cover the topic seriously. One journalist I respect deeply in this space is George Knapp. For decades, he’s been at the forefront of UAP journalism, bravely reporting on government cover-ups and exposing stories that most mainstream outlets wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Knapp has documented some of the most compelling accounts of UAP phenomena, from interviewing military pilots to bringing whistleblowers like Bob Lazar into the public eye. His work has often been dismissed or outright ridiculed, even though he’s risked his reputation to uncover the truth. It’s a contrast to my own experience: this is actually the first time I’m publishing any writing about UFOs, despite following these topics obsessively and keeping a personal journal of notes since 2019. For years, I held back, waiting for a moment when these subjects could be discussed with logic, common sense, and genuine curiosity rather than dismissed outright. Now, it finally feels like we’re on the verge of having that real, serious conversation.
It makes you wonder: How many stories have been ignored or laughed at, only to later be validated in the halls of Congress? If you’re as intrigued by these stories as I am, I recommend checking out Knapp’s new Netflix series, Investigation Alien. I recently binged it and found it to be engaging and thought-provoking. It’s not a masterclass, but for anyone curious about how deep the rabbit hole might go, it’s definitely worth a watch.
The hearing didn’t stop at these compelling accounts. Michael Shellenberger, founder of Public, dropped yet another bombshell. He detailed a Department of Defense program ominously named “Immaculate Constellation,” which, he claimed, holds an enormous trove of high-resolution data on UAPs. Unlike the blurry videos the public has seen, this collection includes crystal-clear visuals and sensor data. One harrowing incident he described involved an F-22 pilot who was “boxed in” by a cluster of UAPs—objects that our most advanced fighter jets couldn’t outmaneuver. If you’ve been frustrated by the government’s slow trickle of information, Shellenberger’s testimony was a sobering reminder that what we’ve seen barely scratches the surface.
The political context adds yet another layer of intrigue. With Donald Trump re-elected as President, the landscape for UAP transparency has become even more unpredictable. During the hearing, it was mentioned that his administration is viewed as one of the few political entities likely to push for greater disclosure around this topic. Trump made bold statements during his campaign, suggesting he’d work to release more information about UAPs and reveal long-hidden government secrets. Now that he’s back in office, many—including myself—are hopeful that he will fulfill those promises. However, the question remains whether the push for transparency will proceed or if it will once again become tangled in the complexities of national security and political interests. Are we truly on the brink of finally understanding these phenomena, or will the reality of high-level governance keep the conversation shrouded in mystery?
As the hearing continued, I couldn’t help but reflect on how monumental this moment truly is. This shouldn’t just a blip in the news cycle; it feels like we’re collectively stepping into new and uncharted territory. We’ve moved from the days when talking about UFOs could ruin your career to a time when Congress is having sober, high-level discussions about UAPs. It feels like we’re finally reaching a point where even the most skeptical among us have to admit that something is happening here—something we can’t just brush off or laugh away.
The government may owe a lot of people an apology, but this moment is about more than vindication. It’s about stepping into a future where we confront the unknown with courage and curiosity. In a world where so many so-called “conspiracies” have turned out to hold truth—from government surveillance programs to clandestine military projects—this might be the biggest revelation of all. As someone who has watched this topic with fascination and a bit of trepidation, balancing my serious academic aspirations with a genuine interest in the unexplained, the events of this hearing feel like a turning point. It feels like an invitation to keep questioning, to keep demanding answers, and to prepare for the reality that our universe may be far more complex, more awe-inspiring, and yes, more unsettling than we’ve ever allowed ourselves to believe. If you’re curious to understand the scope of what’s happening, I strongly recommend watching the last two congressional hearings on UAPs. These are history-making sessions filled with testimonies that deserve to be heard and analyzed. Don’t just take my word for it—research for yourself, question everything, and come to your own conclusions. Here’s a link to the latest hearing’s briefing for your exploration: Oversight Hearing on UAPs.
Sources:
Oversight Hearing on UAPs Briefing
Phoenix Lights Incident and Governor’s Press Conference
Luis Elizondo’s Congressional Testimony
Michael Gold’s Statement on Stigma
Michael Shellenberger’s Testimony on Immaculate Constellation
Unfiltered with Jessica 
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