NASA administrator Jared Isaacman has said we need to "remain open minded" about the possibility that aliens exist, following a reported surge in sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).
Isaacman suggested the uptick in reported UAP sightings in recent years could be down to having more knowledge, or people simply being more open to accepting that life could exist on other planets.
He said it is "important" to be open to the possibility that aliens are real, adding that NASA now has a "seat at the table when it comes to investigating" reported sightings.
Interview on 'The Hill'
In a recent interview with Blake Burman, host of NewsNation's "The Hill" broadcast, Isaacman was asked whether he thought any recent videos or reports were credible. Burman asked: "When you watch these videos, do you believe that anything that we've seen in any of this is potentially extraterrestrial. Is it military? What is it?"
Isaacman said that NASA has had "a seat at the table" since U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year called for releasing UFO and UAP files. That call is now officially known as the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE).
He replied: "My position going into every one of these: one, be open-minded. I mean, it is kind of our job to go out and try to answer the question 'are we alone?' And I said look, if it's aliens, I think NASA should have a seat at the table in this for sure."
Natural phenomena or new technology
When asked what his gut told him, Isaacman said: "I would say I would lean toward it's either some phenomenon that can happen. There are things that can happen just like natural phenomena that can be observed. I also think there's a good chance that there could be a Sputnik Moment that's happening and people are testing new stealthy or next generation type technologies."
Trump has given the green light for some files to be released once they have passed a legal waiver. Military service members, civilian personnel, and contractors are purportedly green-lighted to disclose once protected information, such as under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), has been waived.
Pentagon releases declassified files
The Pentagon this week released its latest declassified UFO files from various federal agencies, some dating as far back as the late 1940s. The documents were released on Friday, which the Pentagon said includes "never-before-seen" files on unidentified flying objects.
"The American people can now access the federal government's declassified UAP files instantly. The latest UAP videos, photos, and original source documents from across the entire United States government are all in one place — no clearance required," the Pentagon said in a statement. The department said it will release more files "on a rolling basis."
