Michael Shellenberger Follow Up Q&A From November 2024 UAP House Hearing
Recent testimony from investigative journalist Michael Shellenberger to Congress has sparked renewed interest in government programs related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). In a series of written responses to follow-up questions from the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Shellenberger addressed inquiries about his investigations and findings.
The responses touched on several significant topics, including alleged government programs, database systems, and historical documentation dating back to the 1940s. While maintaining confidentiality of sources, Shellenberger emphasized the importance of transparency and highlighted instances where official statements conflicted with documented events.
Key Takeaways
Government agencies have maintained classified UAP research programs spanning multiple decades
Official denials about UAP-related activities have been contradicted by documented evidence
Congressional oversight has increased pressure for greater transparency in UAP investigations
Congressional UAP Investigation Follow-Up Questions
Michael Shellenberger received 7 follow-up questions from the Committee on Oversight and Accountability after his November 2024 testimony. He vetted multiple sources to verify their identities but maintained confidentiality beyond his original testimony.
When asked about the Immaculate Constellation program's structure and UAP research connections, Shellenberger declined to provide details beyond his prior statements. He also withheld additional information about the alleged UAP database containing imagery, videos, eyewitness accounts, and sensor evidence.
The Department of Defense denied Immaculate Constellation's existence. Shellenberger stood by his sources and pointed to the Pentagon's December 2024 credibility issue. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby initially claimed no drone sightings in restricted airspace, then later admitted unidentified drones had flown over U.S. military bases.
Shellenberger stated Immaculate Constellation confirms the DOD's intensive UAP studies since the 1940s, along with active disinformation campaigns.
His recommendations for improved UAP transparency include:
Supporting Congress's assertive stance against DOD secrecy
Pushing for full disclosure of hidden UAP information
Addressing unjustified information concealment by government agencies
The committee received no additional primary documents or records beyond those shared during the initial testimony.
Committee's Follow-Up Questions
The Congressional Committee on Oversight and Accountability submitted seven written follow-up questions to Michael Shellenberger regarding his November 2024 testimony.
Shellenberger emphasized his rigorous source verification process while maintaining confidentiality beyond his previous testimony. When questioned about the Immaculate Constellation program's purpose and UAP research connections, he declined to provide additional details.
The Committee sought information about an alleged UAP database containing imagery, videos, witness accounts, and sensor data. Shellenberger did not expand beyond his prior statements.
Regarding Department of Defense denials about Immaculate Constellation, Shellenberger cited his confidence in his sources. He referenced a December 2024 incident where Pentagon spokesman John Kirby initially denied drone activity near restricted spaces, then later admitted unidentified drones had flown over U.S. military bases.
Shellenberger stated that Immaculate Constellation validates the DOD's continuous UAP research since the 1940s, along with active disinformation campaigns.
For improving transparency, Shellenberger praised Congress's firm stance against DOD secrecy on UAPs. He urged Congress to demand full disclosure, stating the DOD conceals information without valid national security reasons.
Scope and Methods of Immaculate Constellation Investigation
The investigation into Immaculate Constellation relied on multiple vetted sources who provided detailed information about the program. Security protocols and source protection measures prevented the disclosure of specific identities beyond the initial testimony.
The Department of Defense's credibility regarding UAP programs faces scrutiny due to documented inconsistencies in their public statements. A notable example occurred in December 2024 when Pentagon spokesman John Kirby made incorrect statements about drone activities near restricted areas, which required subsequent correction.
Source Verification Process:
Comprehensive vetting of all informants
Multiple source confirmation requirements
Protected source identities
Limited information disclosure
The investigation uncovered evidence suggesting the Department of Defense has conducted intensive UAP studies since the 1940s. These findings point to a pattern of information control and strategic communication management regarding UAP-related activities.
Congressional oversight has increased in response to concerns about DOD transparency. The investigation supports the position that current UAP-related information restrictions exceed necessary national security requirements.
DOD's long-term UAP research programs
Information management practices
Constitutional implications
Oversight considerations
Purpose and Structure of Immaculate Constellation
The Immaculate Constellation program represents a classified Department of Defense initiative focusing on UAP research and data management. The program maintains an extensive database containing UAP-related imagery, videos, eyewitness accounts, and electronic sensor evidence.
The Department of Defense has issued official denials about the existence of Immaculate Constellation. These denials follow a pattern of UAP-related misinformation, as demonstrated by the December 2024 incident where Pentagon spokesman John Kirby made incorrect statements about drone activities near restricted airspace.
The program serves as evidence of the DOD's continuous UAP studies dating back to the 1940s. The collected data remains hidden from public view, with minimal oversight or transparency. Congressional pressure has increased for full disclosure of this information, as many details appear to lack legitimate national security justifications for continued classification.
The DOD's management of UAP-related information through Immaculate Constellation raises constitutional concerns regarding government secrecy and public accountability. Multiple vetted sources have confirmed the program's existence and operations, despite official denials from military leadership.
Key Program Elements:
Database of UAP encounters
Electronic sensor data collection
Visual documentation archives
Eyewitness testimony records
Classified research findings
Database of UAP-Related Materials
The Department of Defense maintains an extensive collection of UAP-related data through the Immaculate Constellation program. This database includes imagery, videos, eyewitness accounts, and electronic sensor evidence.
The DOD's active study of UAP phenomena dates back to the 1940s. Multiple verified sources confirm the existence of these classified materials, despite official denials from the Pentagon.
Recent events highlight discrepancies in DOD statements. In December 2024, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby initially denied any drone sightings in restricted airspace, but later had to retract this claim when evidence proved otherwise.
The database represents a significant repository of UAP research spanning decades. Congressional oversight has increased pressure for transparency regarding these materials, as evidence suggests information is being withheld without valid national security justifications.
Key Database Components:
Visual documentation
Witness testimonies
Sensor data
Electronic evidence
Historical records
Current Status: The exact scope and contents remain classified, with limited access granted to select personnel.
Primary Documents and DOD Statements
Michael Shellenberger received seven follow-up questions from the Committee on Oversight and Accountability after his November 2024 testimony.
When asked about his investigation into Immaculate Constellation, Shellenberger stated he vetted all sources to confirm their identities. He maintained confidentiality of his sources beyond what was disclosed in his testimony.
Regarding the program's structure and UAP database details, Shellenberger did not provide additional information beyond his previous testimony.
The Pentagon's denials about Immaculate Constellation face credibility challenges. In December 2024, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby initially claimed there were no drone sightings in restricted airspace. Days later, he had to reverse this position and acknowledge unidentified drones had flown over U.S. military bases.
Key Statement on DOD Activities:
DOD has studied UAP since the 1940s
Active disinformation campaigns about UAP research
Information withheld without national security justification
Shellenberger endorsed Congress's firm stance against what he termed "unconstitutional secrecy" surrounding UAP matters. He advocated for full disclosure of information from the DOD and other government agencies.
Analyzing the Secret UAP Study Program's Broader Impacts
The Immaculate Constellation program demonstrates a systematic pattern of UAP research by the Department of Defense spanning over 80 years. The existence of this classified initiative points to an extensive UAP data collection effort, including imagery, videos, eyewitness accounts, and electronic sensor evidence.
Multiple vetted sources have confirmed the program's existence despite official denials from the Department of Defense. The DOD's credibility on UAP matters is questionable given their December 2024 false statements about drone activity near military installations, which they later had to retract.
The program's operation suggests the DOD maintains significant undisclosed information about UAPs without valid national security justifications. This raises serious questions about constitutional oversight and the public's right to information about these phenomena.
Congressional oversight has become increasingly assertive in response to the DOD's lack of transparency. The legislative branch continues to push for full disclosure of UAP-related information held by government agencies.
Key Issues:
Long-term systematic UAP studies since the 1940s
Active disinformation campaigns about UAP research
Unconstitutional levels of secrecy
Limited cooperation with Congressional oversight
Unauthorized withholding of non-classified information
The program's scope indicates UAP encounters are frequent enough to warrant dedicated research infrastructure and long-term data collection efforts by military and intelligence agencies.
Advancing Public Access to UAP Information
The Department of Defense should release classified UAP data and end its practice of concealing information without valid national security reasons. The Pentagon's track record of inaccurate statements about aerial phenomena demands immediate correction.
Congressional oversight must increase to combat unauthorized secrecy around UAP programs. A formal mandate for the DOD to disclose its decades-long UAP research dating back to the 1940s would serve the public interest.
The Pentagon's December 2024 drone incident highlights ongoing transparency issues. Officials initially denied any unauthorized drone activity near military facilities, then reversed course days later and confirmed drone presence over bases.
Key Recommendations:
Mandate full disclosure of historical UAP research programs
Strengthen Congressional oversight of DOD UAP activities
End unnecessary classification of UAP data
Establish clear criteria for legitimate national security exemptions
Create reporting requirements for UAP incidents
The Department must shift from blanket secrecy to a culture of openness, sharing UAP information with Congress and the public when national security permits. Proper accountability requires accurate disclosures about historical and current UAP research efforts.
Key Committee Responses and Document Analysis
Seven questions posed to Michael Shellenberger after the November 2024 congressional hearing revealed limited new information about the Immaculate Constellation program.
The responses maintained strict confidentiality around sources while affirming their credibility through thorough vetting processes. When asked about program details, database contents, and primary documents, Shellenberger repeatedly referred back to his original testimony without providing additional information.
A notable point emerged regarding Department of Defense credibility. The Pentagon's December 2024 statements about drone activities in restricted airspace demonstrated inconsistencies, with spokesman John Kirby later retracting initial denials about unidentified drones over military bases.
The investigation suggests sustained government involvement in UAP research since the 1940s, with claims of active disinformation campaigns.
Key Statements on Government Transparency:
DOD maintains "unconstitutional secrecy" around UAPs
Information withholding lacks sufficient national security justification
Congressional oversight requires strengthening
Source Validation Approach:
Multiple source verification
Identity confirmation
Strict confidentiality maintenance
The responses to the committee highlight tensions between governmental secrecy and public disclosure requirements regarding UAP investigations.
