Pentagon Defies Congress: UFO Videos Still Hidden After Deadline

Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida and chairwoman of the House Oversight Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, has formally requested the declassification of 46 specific military videos documenting unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), also known as UFOs. In a letter dated March 31, 2026, addressed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Luna called for the prompt delivery of the recordings, which were captured by U.S. military platforms in locations including war zones near Iran and Syria, the East China Sea, and areas close to domestic airports and restricted U.S. airspace.

The videos in question document a range of unexplained aerial and undersea objects. They include spherical shapes exhibiting erratic movements, cigar-shaped craft, and objects resembling the well-known “Tic Tac” sightings. Recordings come from U.S. military platforms operating over locations such as Iran, the Persian Gulf, the East China Sea, Syria, U.S. bases, airports, and a notable 2023 incident over Lake Huron. Luna argued that these incidents raise serious concerns about potential threats to military readiness and restricted airspace security. She noted that responses from the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office had been inadequate when questioned about such sightings.

The letter set a clear timeline. It directed delivery of the files “as soon as possible but no later than April 14, 2026.” This deadline gave the Department of Defense roughly two weeks to comply with the congressional oversight request. The task force cited broad authority under House rules to investigate any matter at any time.

The Pentagon did not deliver the files by the deadline. Luna publicly noted that her office received no initial response until follow up contact was made, describing the situation as concerning. Pentagon officials have attributed the delay to a clerical error.

Luna has expressed confidence that the videos will be obtained. She indicated a willingness to work directly with Pentagon leadership while reserving the option to pursue congressional subpoena powers if institutional resistance continues. This request aligns with broader administration efforts to increase transparency on UAP matters.

The episode highlights persistent congressional pressure for public access to UAP data collected by the military.

References

• Official letter from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (March 31, 2026)

• NewsNation: “Pentagon misses UAP video deadline. Rep. Luna eyes subpoena” (April 17, 2026)

• Newsweek: “Anna Paulina Luna Says ‘We Will Be Getting Those’ UFO Files” (April 16, 2026)

• New York Post: “War Dept. blows past UFO video release deadline” (April 18, 2026)