WASHINGTON — In a gripping session that blended national security concerns with calls for greater transparency, military whistleblowers took the stand before Congress to recount harrowing encounters with unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, that defied explanation.
The hearing, held on September 9, 2025, before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, underscored a growing bipartisan push to destigmatize UFO reporting and protect those who come forward.
Titled “Restoring Public Trust Through UAP Transparency and Whistleblower Protection,” the event featured testimony from seasoned veterans who described close calls with mysterious aerial phenomena.
These accounts come amid heightened congressional scrutiny of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), with lawmakers noting that such hearings have become routine—occurring one or two times annually—since the first major public inquiry in over 50 years back in 2022.
To address the issue, Congress established a dedicated office to investigate reports from military personnel, civilian pilots, and commercial aviators, aiming to reduce the fear and ridicule often associated with sharing these experiences.
One of the most vivid testimonies came from Dylan Borland, a former Air Force intelligence officer.
Borland described a chilling incident where he encountered four lights hovering nearby.
“There were four lights in total. I immediately could feel static electricity all over my body,” he recalled.
As the object rapidly approached, radio communications erupted in panic: “Chaos ensued over the radio as the object approached rapidly. I heard my friend screaming, ‘It’s coming right at us! It’s coming right for us!’” Borland continued, painting a picture of frozen terror: “It stopped about 100 feet in front of me and approximately 100 feet above me.
My telephone got extremely hot. Completely froze.”
Borland also highlighted the barriers to disclosure, expressing frustration with scientific standards for proving extraterrestrial origins.
“[They say] the only way to scientifically prove [that something is] extraterrestrial is we have to go to that planet, acquire technology, bring it back, and compare it to what we have here,” he said.
He emphasized the personal risks involved, adding, “If I say the wrong word, technically I can be charged with espionage.”
A Second Encounter From Air Force Officer
Retired Air Force officer Jeffrey Nuccetelli recounted the same radio chaos during his service: “Chaos ensued over the radio as the object approached rapidly. I heard my friend screaming, ‘It’s coming right at us! It’s coming right for us!’”
U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Alexandro Wiggins offered a straightforward assessment, urging action: “There is something out there, and we should know what it is.”
A Bipartisan Effort to Understand the UFO Phenomena
The hearing also featured investigative journalist George Knapp, who analyzed a video presented to the committee.
“That’s a Hellfire missile that smacked into that UFO and just bounced right off, and it kept going,” Knapp stated, describing footage that showed the projectile failing to impact the object.
Lawmakers from both parties engaged deeply, revealing a spectrum of skepticism turning to belief.
Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., addressed a leaked video of a missile deflection: “[The UFO] kind of pivots in some way. And then there’s what appears to be debris from the missile. The missile is deflected. And then there’s some pieces of debris that appear to be traveling alongside this object at speed.”
He pressed Borland on disclosure hurdles: “So you’re saying they won’t let anything out … unless they go to the planet and confirm its origin?”
Burlison clarified his stance: “I’ve not jumped to the conclusion that I believe that there are aliens coming from another planet. But I’m open to that.”
Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., shared a personal shift: “Growing up, I really never believed in UFOs or any of this stuff. I always thought it was a little kooky. But after hearing your testimony from honorable service members and watching videos, I’ve got to admit, I’ve become a believer.”
Debates over terminology surfaced, with Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., asking pointedly, “UAPs or UFOs?”
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., pushed back on the rebranding: “I still don’t want to say UAP,” and highlighted his legislative efforts: “I recently introduced the UAP Whistleblower Protection Act to help provide whistleblower protection to federal personnel for disclosing the use of federal taxpayer funds to investigate UFOs.”
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., probed deeper into technical challenges: “How do we get to these other planets? How do we pass the Van Allen Radiation Belt safely?”
Another representative, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., acknowledged the credibility of the witnesses, stating, “The narrative has changed. It [would be] politically convenient for the government if you all weren’t military folks in suits. It would be much better if you pulled up in Winnebagos and were wearing [tinfoil] hats.”
He added a note of suspicion: “I don’t really know what is true. But I do know when we’re being lied to.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who helped organize the hearing, stressed the real-world consequences for whistleblowers.
She stated, “For most of our whistleblowers that come forward, the first thing that goes is their security clearance. The security clearance is their livelihood.”
Paulina framed the discussion quite broadly stating, “This is not science fiction or creating speculation. This is about national security.”
The testimonies and exchanges left an indelible mark, signaling that Congress is intent on unraveling the mysteries of these unexplained encounters while safeguarding those who report them.
What’s Next in The UFO Disclosure Saga?
The disclosures we are currently witnessing is extraordinary as it is.
For decades (and centuries), depictions, witness accounts, and stories have been told of these anomalies, shedding mystery about human origins.
As the U.S. Congress continues to engage in military and witness accounts, the American people come one step closer to the truth.
You can watch the full UFO Congressional Hearing below.
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