Rep. Eric Burlison Releases Statement on President Trump's UAP NDA Directive

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) today released the following statement regarding President Trump's directive waiving certain nondisclosure agreements for individuals with information related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP):

In light of President Trump directing the Department of War and the intelligence community to waive prior nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by individuals who have relevant information regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), if you are a current or former government employee or contractor interested in taking advantage of this directive, I am offering my office’s assistance in contacting and getting your information to any agency.

Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas has stated that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) will soon issue guidance to ensure that the intelligence community implements the president’s directive. My office has requested to see the directive to understand how this process will work and to assist in facilitating whistleblowers’ participation in a manner and at a pace that is comfortable for them.  

Independent congressional oversight is a critical part of UAP disclosure, and we are uncertain whether the abrogation of NDAs will apply to testimony received by Congress before referral to the executive branch. Therefore, at this time, if you are thinking of speaking to the executive branch pursuant to this directive, I strongly recommend that, in addition to an attorney, you request that either I or another member of Congress be present with you.  

Waiving UAP-related NDAs is something I have been calling for the administration to do, and I hope to understand the procedures established by the president’s directive soon and am calling on ODNI to issue its guidance publicly. In the meantime, my office will serve as a resource to begin shepherding qualified individuals through the process.