concept

UFO research program

Also known as: Pentagon's U.F.O. program, U.F.O. program, UFO investigation program, UFO research program, UFO program, UFO programs

Entities (3)

Pentagon

Pentagon

The Pentagon is directly linked to the UFO research program as the entity that operated the surreptitious initiative, as revealed in [1] and [2], and was the subject of the New York Times article detailing the program's existence in [3] and [4]. — 10 supporting facts

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The New York Times

The New York Times

The New York Times is related to the UFO research program because it published a high-profile investigative report revealing the existence of the Pentagon's secret program, as detailed in [1], [2], and [3]. This reporting served as a catalyst for increased Congressional interest in the subject, as noted in [4]. — 6 supporting facts

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Leslie Kean

Leslie Kean

Leslie Kean is related to the UFO research program because she co-authored a 2017 New York Times report that exposed the existence of the Pentagon's secret program, as detailed in [1], [2], and [3]. — 3 supporting facts

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Facts (20)

Sources

How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously | The New Yorker newyorker.com The New Yorker Apr 30, 2021 18 facts

accountSenator Harry Reid pressured government officials to participate in the UFO research program by calling them out of meetings.

accountA former intelligence official stated that Senator Harry Reid would pull government officials out of meetings to insist they continue working on the U.F.O. research program.

claimThe U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the existence of the U.F.O. program but stated it was closed in 2012 due to funding priorities.

accountOn December 16, 2017, Leslie Kean and two New York Times journalists published a front-page story in the New York Times revealing that the Pentagon had been running a surreptitious U.F.O. program for ten years.

accountOn December 16, 2017, Leslie Kean and two New York Times journalists published a front-page story revealing that the Pentagon had been running a surreptitious U.F.O. program for ten years.

claimThe New York Times published the article "Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program" online on December 16, 2017, and in print the following day.

accountSenator Harry Reid pressured government officials to participate in the UFO research program by calling them out of meetings.

claimLuis Elizondo claimed the Pentagon's U.F.O. program continued operating after 2012 despite the lack of dedicated funding.

perspectiveThe Pentagon was initially unenthusiastic about the U.F.O. research program funded by the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, with some officials viewing it as a waste of money.

claimThe New York Times article "Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program" included two videos, one of which was titled "FLIR1."

accountSome government officials opposed the U.F.O. research program, characterizing it as a waste of money, but Senator Harry Reid pressured them to continue the work.

accountOn December 16, 2017, Leslie Kean and two New York Times journalists published a front-page story revealing that the Pentagon had been running a surreptitious U.F.O. program for ten years.

accountThe Pentagon was initially unenthusiastic about the U.F.O. program funded in the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, with some officials viewing it as a waste of money, though Senator Harry Reid pressured them to continue.

perspectiveSome government officials expressed skepticism and resistance toward the U.F.O. research program funded in the 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Bill, characterizing it as a waste of money.

quoteA former intelligence official quoted government officials as saying the U.F.O. program was 'ridiculous' and a 'waste of money.'

perspectiveSome government officials opposed the UFO investigation program, describing it as 'really ridiculous' and 'a waste of money,' according to a former intelligence official.

quoteSenator Harry Reid stated regarding the Pentagon's U.F.O. program: 'I’m not embarrassed or ashamed or sorry I got this going.'

Ufology: From Fringe to Mainstream to Fringe? - Skeptic Magazine skeptic.com Skeptic Feb 20, 2026 1 fact

accountMembers of the United States Congress initiated interest and engagement regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) following a New York Times article that revealed the existence of a government UFO program run by Intelligence Community personnel without Congressional oversight.

"They'll Erase You" - Super Elites, Invention Secrecy Act, Tesla, UFOs shortform.com Jun 24, 2024 1 fact

claimClaims regarding the denial of access to UFO programs by high-ranking officials, such as CIA directors and presidents, are challenging to substantiate without direct evidence or testimony from those officials.