Senator Gillibrand Escalates UFO Rhetoric At Confirmation Hearing

Written by Christopher Sharp - 16 February 2022

• Senator Gillibrand’s questioning of the DoD’s IG nominee, Robert Storch, marked a perhaps unprecedented and historic moment in UAP history.

• Gillibrand did not appear impressed by Storch’s lack of awareness of UAP and placed conditions on the nominee before his confirmation.

• Speaking to Liberation Times, former AATIP Director, Luis Elizondo, thanked the Senator and other elected representatives for their efforts.

• Representatives and Senators (including Gillibrand) have staked political capital on the UAP topic.

• Next month, key Congressional committees will receive their first classified briefing from the new UAP Office.

• Frustrations among politicians may boil over if sufficient progress is not made by the Office.

On 15 February 2022, the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee held its confirmation hearing for the Department Of Defense’s (DoD) Inspector General (IG) nominee, Robert Storch.

And it marked a perhaps unprecedented and historic moment in Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) history.

When questioning Storch (who is currently IG for the NSA), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sought assurances that the nominee would prioritize the IG’s current evaluation into the DoD’s actions regarding UAP.

In her opening question, Kirsten Gillibrand asked Storch:

“In your current position as NSA Inspector General, are you familiar with the DoD IG’s ongoing assessment of the response from DoD components to the intrusions of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon into controlled DoD airspace as well as UAP activity around naval and air operations?

Further, do you think the NSA has been responsive to the DoD’s IG inquiries?”

In response, Storch admitted that UAP wasn’t an issue he was familiar with, but stated he would look into it and take appropriate action if he is confirmed as IG.

Gillibrand then followed up, asking:

“And if confirmed, can I have your commitment to sustain this comprehensive assessment until it reaches its appropriate conclusion, including the possibility of follow-on actions, such as audits and investigations if the assessment recommends as much?”

Storch, who appeared to be caught off guard by a topic he knew little about, stated again that he was unfamiliar with any such review but did assure Gillibrand that (if confirmed) he will give his best attention to anything which is pending (such as the UAP evaluation) and will follow-up if appropriate.

Senator Gillibrand did not appear impressed by Storch’s lack of awareness of UAP and placed conditions on the nominee before his confirmation.

“Since you aren’t familiar, can you please familiarize yourself with this issue and respond to those questions in writing before your confirmation please?”

A flustered Storch responded: “Yes, ma’am.”

The questions and comments from Gillibrand were greeted positively by the UAP community.

Speaking to Liberation Times, former AATIP Director, Luis Elizondo, thanked the Senator and other elected representatives for their efforts, commenting:

“It’s inspiring to see how courageous our elected representatives are in doggedly pursuing answers on UAP. Senator Gillibrand is right to question nominees for the DoD IG position about the ongoing evaluations of the UAP subject. Senator Gillibrand, as part of her roles on both the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, has received classified briefings on UAP.

She has the appropriate clearances to be informed. She and her colleagues on these committees are committed to righting a longstanding wrong and bringing the truth to their constituents. We must be able to trust that leadership at the Inspector General’s office shares the same values.”

Indeed, Gillibrand’s questioning and instructions to Storch suggest the Senator and her colleagues are privy to information that has made the historically stigmatized topic of UAP an urgent priority.

Gillibrand made an example of Storch and set the tone for future engagement with stakeholders who know little about UAP or deliberately frustrate efforts.

Congress Wants Progress

Representatives and Senators (including Gillibrand) have staked political capital on the UAP topic. Additionally, Senator Gillibrand and fellow UAP advocate Senator Rubio (R-Flo) may harbor ambitions of becoming President someday.

Therefore, any roadblocks which slow down progress and undermine Congress’s authority will likely be greeted with the escalation of rhetoric and action, which could involve public hearings and appropriation committees that control the DoD’s purse strings.

Does Congress Share Mellon’s Frustrations?

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Christopher Mellon, has previously voiced his frustrations about the United States Air Force (USAF) and OUSD(I&S), where the newly provisioned UAP Office currently resides under the name of AOIMSG.

According to Mellon, the USAF has been AWOL on the UAP issue, and OUSD(I&S) has a proven inability to engage effectively on the UAP topic, which eventually led to Luis Elizondo’s resignation from AATIP.

Mellon has also stated that the USAF and OUSD(I&S) are historic and active roadblocks to UAP transparency. Furthermore, Elizondo and others have voiced their frustrations regarding the Pentagon’s Public Affairs Office’s handling of UAP.

It is thought that all three of these entities will be under some scrutiny from the IG assessment. That process may lead to audits and investigations.

Gillibrand’s questioning of Storch may reflect that Mellon’s frustrations are shared by Congress.

And those frustrations may now be boiling over, to such an extent that Gillibrand led her IG nominee questioning on the UAP topic. Be in no doubt, it was at the forefront of her mind.

One DoD insider commenting to Liberation Times stated:

“Senator Gillibrand’s tone is serious and she is authoritative in her delivery. The Senator is ensuring that any incoming IG will have this issue at the forefront of their memory.

Not only that, Mr. Storch now has required deliverables that he will be held accountable for, as witnessed by all in attendance.”

Instructing Storch to provide written statements before his confirmation will certainly give the nominee food for thought. He may now realize that UAP is a priority for Gillibrand and other members of the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, who have received classified briefings.

More so, Storch (if confirmed) will be made accountable for his written responses to Gillibrand and will come under pressure to deliver progress from day one.

UAP Office Progress

In her questioning, Gillibrand also seemed to suggest that the new UAP Office has commenced coordination with other agencies, such as the NSA. Although (if true) it is not known whether such agencies are cooperating fully with the Office.

Next month, key Congressional committees will receive their first classified briefing from the new UAP Office.

That briefing will include all incidents involving UAP that were reported to the former UAP Task Force and the DoD’s AOIMSG (before new Congressional requirements) after June 24, 2021, regardless of the date of occurrence of the incident.

And if politicians aren’t happy about the new office’s progress, then both rhetoric and actions may be escalated…..

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