DoD Waives NDA Restrictions for Classified UFO Disclosures to PURSUE Team
The Department of Defense permits personnel to legally share classified UAP info with PURSUE team members.
Why it matters: This waiver creates a legally protected channel for sensitive UFO disclosures, easing barriers for whistleblowers while safeguarding national security information within the Defense Department.
- The Department of Defense issued the waiver on September 14, 2026, for current and former personnel to disclose classified UAP information.
- It overrides NDA and Special Access Program agreements but only for disclosures to designated PURSUE representatives.
- The PURSUE initiative, launched in early 2026, centralizes classified UAP data for review and possible declassification.
- The waiver does not allow public disclosure, limiting communication to authorized officials within PURSUE.
On September 14, 2026, the Department of Defense issued a waiver permitting current and former personnel to share National Defense Information related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) with designated members of the PURSUE team.
This waiver supersedes restrictions under Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and Special Access Program (SAP) Indoctrination Agreements, allowing disclosures solely to authorized PURSUE representatives. It does not authorize general public release.
The PURSUE initiative, launched in early 2026, was created to centralize and evaluate classified UAP data across federal and military agencies, aiming to assess potential declassification. The program responds to prior challenges where personnel feared legal risks such as loss of clearances or prosecution for unauthorized disclosures.
Jordan Flowers, Executive Director of the Disclosure Foundation, highlighted that this action "establishes an authorized, legally protected pathway" for individuals to report information, reducing barriers affecting whistleblowers.
Since the start of the initiative, five batches of UAP documents have been declassified and released, signifying a cautious effort toward greater transparency. However, the identities of PURSUE representatives and the full scope of permissible information disclosures remain confidential.
The waiver represents a significant legal shift, balancing national security with lawful whistleblower protections. For legal professionals, it underscores evolving disclosure protocols within Defense Department operations involving highly sensitive classified materials.
By the numbers:
- September 14, 2026 — Date the DoD issued the disclosure waiver
- Five — Tranches of UAP records declassified under PURSUE as of late 2026
- Early 2026 — Launch of the PURSUE initiative
Yes, but: While the waiver enables disclosures to PURSUE representatives, it does not broaden public or Congressional access, limiting transparency to internal channels.
What's next: Further declassification tranches are expected in 2027 under PURSUE's review framework as evaluations continue.