In a recent episode of Reality Check, journalist Ross Coulthart dives into the Pentagon’s handling of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) reports. Joined by NewsNation correspondent Xavier Walton, the discussion reveals a deep-seated skepticism among experts about the transparency and authenticity of these studies. This article examines why experts believe the Pentagon is hiding information about UAPs.
Historical context and the DNI report
The turning point in the UAP discourse came in June 2021 when the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) released a landmark report. This document, entitled “Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena,” recognized the reality of UAPs and their potential threat to national security and flight safety. This admission was significant because it marked a break from decades of stigma and denial surrounding UAPs within the US government.
The AARO Report Controversy
Fast forward to 2024, and the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) published its long-awaited landmark assessment of UAPs. However, this report was criticized by experts who felt it lacked objectivity and thorough research. The AARO report was seen by many as an attempt to discredit long-standing allegations of a secret US program aimed at retrieving and reverse-engineering alien technology.
Experts such as ufologist Don Schmidt and military veteran Kevin Randall, both prominent figures in the UAP investigation, expressed their disappointment with the AARO report. They argued that the company had provided no new information and had not conducted rigorous research, but merely repeated what was already known without substantiating any claims.
Expert opinions and skepticism
Don Schmidt, the chief investigator at the UFO Museum in Roswell, and Kevin Randall, author of more than three dozen books on UFOs, have long been outspoken critics of the government’s handling of UAP reports. Schmidt’s position is that it is futile to ask the entities responsible for the cover-up to come clean. He believes AARO will continue to dismiss the subject, stating that there is no extraordinary evidence that alien technology is in the government’s possession.
Randall echoes these sentiments, highlighting the lack of verifiable information in the AARO report. He criticizes the report for its failure to provide verifiable data, leaving researchers with nothing to substantiate the government’s claims.
Public perception in Roswell
The feeling of disappointment and skepticism is not limited to experts. During the Roswell UFO Festival, NewsNation’s Xavier Walton spoke to locals and attendees who expressed similar frustrations. Many locals in Roswell, a city synonymous with the famous 1947 UFO incident, remain convinced that the government is not making public the full truth about UAPs. This skepticism is rooted in decades of independent research and testimony that contradicts official accounts.
Historical research by independent researchers
Schmidt and Randall spent years investigating the Roswell incident, conducting detailed interviews with first-person witnesses and gathering substantial evidence. Their meticulous approach stands in stark contrast to what they see as the Pentagon’s superficial efforts. Interviews with individuals such as Walter Haut, who issued the original 1947 press release claiming that a flying disc had been recovered, and Major Jesse Marcel, the intelligence officer who inspected the crash site, reveal a different story than that of the government. .
Revelations of Lou Alzando
Adding to the controversy, a leaked book by Lou Alzando, a former Pentagon UAP researcher, claims that the Roswell crash was indeed of extraterrestrial origin. This revelation, if verified, would provide semi-official confirmation from someone within the Pentagon, further fueling beliefs of a cover-up.
VIDEO: Why experts think the Pentagon is covering up UAP reports | Reality check with Ross Coulthart
Skepticism toward the Pentagon’s UAP investigations reflects a broader distrust in government transparency. Despite official denials, many experts and the public remain convinced of a cover-up, supported by decades of independent investigations and compelling witness testimony. As researchers like Don Schmidt and Kevin Randall continue to push for true disclosure, the calls for accountability and transparency in UAP investigations are growing louder.
In conclusion, the persistent belief in a Pentagon cover-up of UAP information is reinforced by historical context, expert analysis, and public sentiment. The debate continues as the search for the truth about UAPs remains a contentious and unresolved issue.
