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Luis Elizondo

Former Army counterintelligence agent and self-described AATIP director who surfaced the 2017 Pentagon videos and told Congress in Nov 2024 that 'UAP are real'.

Current role: Author of Imminent (2024) and Reckoning (August 2026); podcaster and UAP transparency advocate; toured the live show Persona Non Grata in spring 2026

Former roles:

  • Director, Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), by his account until his October 2017 resignation
  • Staff, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
  • U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent
  • Director of Global Security and Special Programs, To The Stars Academy (TTSA)

Background

Former U.S. Army counterintelligence special agent who worked in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and says he ran the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), the Pentagon effort funded at the initiative of Senator Harry Reid. He resigned in October 2017 and, through To The Stars Academy, helped bring the three Navy "Pentagon UFO videos" to the New York Times. The Department of Defense has said AATIP ended in 2012 after five years and has disputed his role, while Reid backed him in writing. Since 2024 he has published two books, testified to Congress, and become one of the most visible public figures in the UAP debate.

On the record

  • 2026-08-27 – Reckoning: The Unspoken Truth about UFOs and the Urgency of Now published by HarperCollins. Amazon · UAP Digest
  • 2026-06-30 – Hang Out With Sean Hannity podcast, with Rep. Tim Burchett – said a congressional staffer, leaving a classified briefing, told him "There was a plan to eliminate you", that it involved "you and Grusch", and that he should "really watch yourself." No official response has been reported. Fox News
  • 2026-06-29 – Down to Earth with Kristian Harloff, responding to Ross Coulthart – "First, I didn't say it was part of the legacy program...when you work for the government and you have a security clearance, there's always the statements, you know, 'we cannot confirm or deny.'" To NewsNation he said he cannot comment on whether he was part of classified projects. UAP Logbook
  • 2026-06-03 – Liberation Times interview – "I believe most people in the Legacy Program want to come out." On amnesty: "We have to give them amnesty." On the Moon: "There are classified sources of information that I am unable to elaborate." Liberation Times
  • 2026-03-06 – announced the 20-date "Persona Non Grata" live tour (22 Apr – 8 Jun 2026), filmed for his podcast. Promotional material: "For too many years, anyone who took the topic of UAP seriously was ostracised, marginalised, or simply dismissed." UAP Digest
  • 2025-03-21 – CNN interview – restated his hearing claims and said the new administration may push public UAP disclosure further. CNN
  • 2025-01-09 – UAP Disclosure Fund policy brief – proposed a senior White House advisor for Emerging All-Domain Technologies (an EADT "czar"). UAPDF
  • 2024-11-13 – House Oversight joint subcommittee hearing, written testimony – "Let me be clear: UAP are real. Advanced technologies not made by our Government – or any other government – are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe. Furthermore, the U.S. is in possession of UAP technologies, as are some of our adversaries. I believe we are in the midst of a multi-decade, secretive arms race—one funded by misallocated taxpayer dollars and hidden from our elected representatives and oversight bodies." Also: "In my last position, I managed a Special Access Program on behalf of the White House and the National Security Council." Testimony (PDF) · Hearing page
  • 2017-12-16 – New York Times – said he resigned in October 2017 to protest what he characterised as "excessive secrecy and internal opposition". NYT

Reported claims (secondary / anonymous-sourced)

  • 2026-06-28 – Ross Coulthart, NewsNation Reality Check, citing unnamed former "legacy program" personnel who he said knew Elizondo – said "Lue needs to be more forthcoming about his past roles". Elizondo's reply is above (29 Jun). Present as a sourcing dispute. UAP Logbook

Responses and criticism

  • DoD position: AATIP ended in 2012 after five years, and the Pentagon has disputed Elizondo's described role. Senator Harry Reid, in a letter to NBC News, wrote: "I can state as a matter of record Lue Elizondo's involvement and leadership role in this program." GQ · Criticism overview
  • 2025-05-01 – UAP Disclosure Fund event – displayed a UAP image sourced from a commercial pilot that was quickly identified online as a crop circle. Event video

Timeline of involvement

  • 2017-10 – resigns from the Pentagon
  • 2017-12-16 – NYT story on AATIP, Pentagon videos published
  • 2024-08 – Imminent published (The Debrief)
  • 2024-11-13 – testifies to House Oversight subcommittees
  • 2025-01-09 – EADT policy brief via UAPDF
  • 2025-04 – scheduled SCIF meeting with lawmakers alongside Grusch and Mellon (per Rep. Luna, Askapol)
  • 2025-05-01 – speaks at UAPDF congressional event
  • 2026-04-22 → 2026-06-08 – "Persona Non Grata" tour
  • 2026-06-03 – Liberation Times interview
  • 2026-08-27 – Reckoning published

Part of the Key People in Disclosure series. Verified 2026-10-10. Spotted an error? Reach out.