The task force, charged with declassifying materials in the public
interest, is on a mission that aligns with the advocacy many on both
sides of the political aisle have championed for years: to bring
sunlight to the dark recesses of our government. The new initiative
builds upon previous efforts, such as President Donald J. Trump’s
January executive order
concerning the declassification of records related to the
assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy,
and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
However, the formation of the Task Force on Declassification represents a
crucial shift: it marks a pivotal moment when Congress begins to
recognize its role as a check on the Executive Branch and to bring
government secrecy into the light of day. While I previously argued
for transparency through an Executive Order by President Trump, this
new Congressional task force offers a different avenue for progress that
could prove even more sustainable if it leads to systemic changes in
how our government handles classified information.
Rep. Luna’s statement outlining the task force’s priorities signals a
bold direction. In addition to revisiting crucial historical records,
such as those related to the Kennedy and King assassinations, the task
force has vowed to investigate topics that have been at the fringes of
public discourse for decades: UAP, the Epstein client list, the origins
of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the classified 9/11 files. These are
issues that have fueled suspicion and distrust toward the government.
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President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump with Jefferey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell |
This effort stands out because it is not just an echo of previous calls
for declassification but an expansion. The investigation into UAP, in
particular, acknowledges the growing momentum for government
transparency on matters that have historically been hidden from public
view. For years, UAP has remained a subject shrouded in mystery, with
government agencies controlling access to critical information and
keeping the truth behind a veil of secrecy. The Task Force’s inclusion
of this topic is not just timely but essential. It represents an
opportunity for Congress to assert its constitutional role in overseeing
the Executive Branch and restoring accountability in areas where the
public interest has long been ignored.
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Lue Elizondo, a former senior leader of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), has repeatedly spoken about these dangers. In an April 2022 interview,
Elizondo stated that “in some cases,” military personnel, fighter
pilots, and others who came into close proximity to a UAP “sustained
significant…medical trauma.” His book, Imminent: Inside the Pentagon’s Hunt for UFOs,
delves deeper, describing cases where team members and military
personnel experienced severe biological effects, including “cutaneous
and visceral injuries,” likely from “directed-energy exposure.” Elizondo
even disclosed accounts of “military servicemen and intelligence
officers who succumbed to their injuries,” painting a disturbing picture
of the risks associated with UAP encounters and clandestine programs to
retrieve UAP craft.
Adding weight to these findings is the testimony of Jake Barber, the focus of award-winning investigative journalist Ross Coulthart’s recent investigation on NewsNation.
Barber is an Air Force veteran who claims first-hand involvement in UAP
retrieval operations. Barber described recovering an “egg-shaped” craft
during a covert nighttime mission, noting the craft’s lack of visible
propulsion and anomalous nature. On another occasion, when transporting
what he called a mystery box, Barber also reported severe
health effects suffered by himself and his team, echoing the findings
of the DIRD and corroborating the accounts of Elizondo. Barber’s claims,
supported by other veterans and highlighted in Coulthart’s
investigative reporting, underscore the need for immediate investigation
and accountability.
However, as with any government initiative, questions remain about the
Task Force’s ability to carry out its ambitious mandate. With only a
six-month duration authorized under Committee Rules, there are
legitimate concerns about whether this time frame will be enough to
investigate and declassify the range of materials under scrutiny. More
importantly, there are pressing questions over whether the Task Force
will have the necessary resources to conduct a thorough investigation.
The effectiveness of such an effort will depend on having sufficient
funding, a dedicated staff with the right expertise, and, crucially, the
security clearances needed to access classified materials. Title 10 and
Title 50 security clearances, which govern access to military and
intelligence information, may be required to delve into long-hidden
government secrets such as UAP records and sensitive national security
files. Without these critical resources, the Task Force risks being
unable to conduct the in-depth investigations that the American public
rightfully demands.
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