Return to Washington and Current Role
Former military intelligence official Lue Elizondo says he has permanently returned to the Washington, D.C., area and is again working with the U.S. government in an advisory capacity. In an interview with Martin Willis of Podcast UFO, Elizondo described his current work as largely conducted “behind the scenes,” with a focus on UAP transparency, national security, and supporting government efforts to address the phenomenon.
Elizondo said he continues to hold a high-level security clearance, but emphasized that his access does not give him permission to disclose classified information publicly. His comments come amid continued congressional interest in UAP reports, alleged government programs, and claims that officials have recovered objects of non-human origin.
Security Oaths and Crash-Recovery Claims
A central theme of the interview was Elizondo’s commitment to his government secrecy obligations. He described his oath as a “promise to the American people” and compared it to a marriage, arguing that public pressure does not justify violating the law. He maintained that any information he shares must be released through legal and constitutional channels.
Asked about former intelligence official David Grusch’s claims concerning alleged government-held non-human craft, Elizondo said he is prohibited from discussing crash-retrieval programs because of a specific, lifelong nondisclosure agreement. He added that the existence of such an agreement indicates that there is “something there to protect,” although that statement does not independently establish the nature or existence of any alleged program. The U.S. government has not publicly confirmed the recovery of extraterrestrial vehicles.
Disclosure, National Security and NASA
Elizondo defended the cautious pace of official UAP disclosure, warning that sudden revelations could affect financial markets, international relations, and national security. He compared the issue to the 1960 U-2 spy-plane incident, when the United States initially withheld information about a sensitive surveillance program. In his view, governments may delay disclosure until they understand a potential threat or develop a way to manage its consequences.
He also characterized NASA’s recent public engagement with UAP as a “180-degree turn” from earlier decades. Elizondo pointed to agency reports and statements acknowledging that unidentified objects warrant scientific investigation, while stopping short of presenting that shift as confirmation of non-human activity. He argued that historical assumptions about what is possible may be challenged by reports of unusual flight characteristics and objects observed in or near space.
Congressional and Public Figures
The interview referenced a number of prominent figures involved in the UAP debate. Elizondo rejected claims by investigative journalist Ross Coulthart that he was coordinating with former Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper on a “controlled disclosure” strategy. He praised former Defense Department official Chris Mellon for what he called formidable intelligence expertise and support for transparency efforts.
Elizondo also commended lawmakers from both parties, including Tim Burchett, Anna Paulina Luna, Eric Burlison, Jared Moskowitz, and Andre Carson. Pilots and witnesses such as Dave Fravor, Alex Dietrich, and Ryan Graves were cited as important contributors to public understanding of reported UAP encounters.
A Call for Accountability and Research
Elizondo concluded that the disclosure debate should move beyond online disputes and speculation. He noted that humans perceive only a small portion—approximately 0.0035 percent—of the electromagnetic spectrum, underscoring the limits of relying solely on human senses to assess unusual phenomena. His broader message was that disclosure may be progressing slowly, but that congressional oversight, scientific inquiry, and documented evidence remain more productive than social-media controversy.
