Brief
James Mattis
The claims the writer was given for James Mattis, in the order they were given.
1
Luis Elizondo told Jim Mattis in his resignation letter that there remains a vital need to ascertain capability and intent of unusual aerial phenomena for the benefit of the armed forces and the nation.
“He expressed his frustration with the limitations placed on the program, telling Mr. Mattis that “there remains a vital need to ascertain capability and intent of these phenomena for the benefit of the armed forces and the nation.””
Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program 2017-12-16 char:12284-12507 opinion second hand
2
In his resignation letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Luis Elizondo wrote 'Why aren't we spending more time and effort on this issue?'
““Why aren’t we spending more time and effort on this issue?” Mr. Elizondo wrote in a resignation letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.”
Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program 2017-12-16 char:5902-6030 opinion second hand
3
Luis Elizondo provided reporters, including Keith Kloor, with recent annual Defense Department performance evaluations and his 2017-10-04 resignation letter to then-Defense Secretary James Mattis, which bears the apparent seal of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense.
“The documents he has provided include recent annual Defense Department performance evaluations and his October 4, 2017 resignation letter to then-Defense Secretary James Mattis, which bears the apparent seal of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense.”
The Media Loves This UFO Expert Who Says He Worked for an Obscure Pentagon Program. Did He? 2019-06-01 char:17653-17901 administrative
4
In a letter to Jim Mattis, his former boss in Afghanistan and then Defence Secretary, Luis Elizondo asked why more time and effort was not being spent on the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) issue.
“'Why aren't we spending more time and effort on this issue?' Elizondo complained in a letter to his former boss in Afghanistan, Jim Mattis, now Defence Secretary.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch21:12990-13143 opinion first hand
5
Joe Murgia transcribed a Glenn Beck interview with Christopher Mellon and Luis Elizondo, published 2020-05-09, in which they stated F/A-18 pilots had testified about the Tic Tac UFO before "very senior DoD staff" in Secretary Jim Mattis's suite.
“Joe Murgia transcript of Glenn Beck interview 8 May 2020 with Christopher Mellon and Lue Elizondo, 'Transcript: Mellon & Elizondo on Beck: F-18 Pilots Testified About Tic Tac UFO Before "Very Senior DoD Staff" In Secretary Mattis' Suite', 9 May 2020.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch34:52608-52853 testimony third hand
6
Luis Elizondo considered seeking a letter from the Secretary of Defense to compel the aerospace firm to grant access to the nonhuman-origin materials.
“I was beginning to wonder if we could go directly to the secretary of defense... If we could get a letter from the SECDEF, that should trump anyone in the Air Force from trying to stymie our efforts.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch23:20259-20514 opinion first hand
7
Luis Elizondo directed the Guantanamo Bay portfolio and, through that role, had routine access to the Secretary of Defense's senior staff but not to the secretary himself or his direct minders.
“Given my work directing the Guantanamo Bay portfolio, I had routine access to the secretary's senior staff but not the secretary himself or his direct minders.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch23:20566-20717 administrative first hand
8
James Mattis was referred to within the Pentagon as SECDEF, the Secretary of Defense.
“We needed to get to the Secretary of Defense. The man everyone in the Pentagon referred to as SECDEF.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:18676-18770 administrative first hand
9
Luis Elizondo considers James Mattis one of only five people on the planet he would follow into war.
“There are only five people on the planet who I’d suit up for and follow into war today.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:18884-18965 opinion first hand
10
James Mattis was nicknamed "Mad Dog" and, by his friends, "Chaos".
“One of those individuals is the new secretary of defense, James "Mad Dog" Mattis, or, as his friends called him, "Chaos."”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:18972-19086 administrative first hand
11
Luis Elizondo first met James Mattis in 2001 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
“I’d first met him in 2001 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:19219-19258 administrative first hand
12
Luis Elizondo introduced James Mattis to John Robert, who became one of Mattis's key aides on the ground.
“Shortly after, I would introduce Mattis to my friend John Robert, who would become one of Mattis’s go-to guys on the ground.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:19271-19388 administrative first hand
13
Luis Elizondo became one of James Mattis's off-the-books intelligence advisors.
“I became one of Mattis’s off-the-books intelligence advisors.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:19526-19578 administrative first hand
14
Luis Elizondo, alongside John Robert, worked to ensure James Mattis had the right information to make decisions during his role in Afghanistan.
“My job, with the help of John, was to make sure he had the right information to make the right decision.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:19643-19738 administrative first hand
15
James Mattis commanded troops during a firefight in which his convoy of amphibious Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) responded to rescue pinned-down soldiers.
“Another time, some of his men were pinned down hard in a firefight outside the perimeter of the airfield. With ammunition low, they radioed for support, but no one nearby could assist. By chance, a small convoy of amphibious Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) happened to be nearby. Mattis led the convoy.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:20467-20759 testimony first hand
16
The Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) convoy led by James Mattis was equipped with a 25 mm Bushmaster gun.
“Equipped with the 25 mm Bushmaster gun, that *thump-thump-thump* meant the enemy was having a very bad day.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:20961-21064 testimony first hand
17
Lue Elizondo credits James Mattis with saving many lives, including his own.
“I give him credit for saving many lives, including mine.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:21486-21537 opinion first hand
18
James Mattis accepted the position of Secretary of Defense in the incoming Trump administration.
“I was working in the Pentagon building with Mad Dog himself, who had accepted the position of secretary of defense in the incoming Trump administration.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:21603-21740 administrative first hand
19
Lue Elizondo sought James Mattis's clarity, as Secretary of Defense, on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) incursions and range safety issues.
“I wanted SECDEF’s clarity going forward on incursions and range safety issues.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:21957-22028 testimony first hand
20
Lue Elizondo wanted a letter from James Mattis to secure access to the Legacy Program's UAP materials.
“I wanted a letter to secure access to the Legacy Program’s UAP materials.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:22036-22099 testimony first hand
21
Lue Elizondo believed that going around the chain of command by personally calling James Mattis for a meeting would have been insubordinate given James Mattis's focus on strengthening chain-of-command authority during the Trump administration.
“Under no circumstances could I buck the chain of command and use my past relationship with the general to personally schedule a briefing with him. To do so would be an insubordinate act, an indictment of his chain of command, and an insult to the institution and the general himself. It’s important to understand that Mattis was very focused on strengthening the authority and recognition of the chain of command during the Trump administration”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch25:22515-22945 opinion first hand
22
A senior White House advisor named Brad Byers and a CIA liaison officer referred to as Shari Smith were deferred to by a Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) liaison handling Luis Elizondo's efforts to brief James Mattis.
“The liaison had a hard time grasping the enormity of the issue and quickly deferred to two colleagues of his, a senior White House advisor named Brad Byers, and a CIA liaison officer I will call Shari Smith.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:1260-1461 testimony first hand
23
Nothing about the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) briefing effort reached James Mattis despite the extensive information gathering.
“Yet, after all that, nothing got to Mattis.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:1686-1722 testimony first hand
24
Brad Byers was hesitant to brief James Mattis until the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence (OUSD(I)) had a permanent, Senate-confirmed appointee, since the position had been filled only by acting or temporary personnel after Michael Vickers departed.
“Brad was hesitant to brief Mattis until my office, OUSD(I), had a permanent appointment. Since Michael Vickers had left his position, the USD(I) was filled with either "acting" or temporary people. The position required a Senate-confirmed person and so the Pentagon was still searching for the right individual.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:1836-2136 testimony first hand
25
Luis Elizondo wanted to save James Mattis.
“I wanted to save Mattis.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:20253-20270 testimony first hand
26
Luis Elizondo previously served in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with James Mattis during Operation Enduring Freedom, when Mattis was Marine Expeditionary Unit Commander.
“I then referenced my work in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan... "I was in Kandahar with the secretary when he was Marine Expeditionary Unit Commander."”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:2548-2714 testimony first hand
27
Luis Elizondo considers James Mattis to be a man who wants more information rather than less.
“my experience with him has taught me that he is a man who wants more information, not less.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:2834-2920 opinion first hand
28
Brad Byers and Shari Smith did not want to put James Mattis in a position where the press could ask him directly whether he had been briefed on the reality of UAP.
“My chief contacts, Shari and Brad, did not want to put Mattis in an impossible position. If the press got wind of these meetings, they could ask Mattis directly in an open press briefing: "Mr. Secretary, is it true you were recently briefed to the reality of UAP and the dangers they may pose to our pilots?"”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:3011-3311 testimony first hand
29
Luis Elizondo gave permission to Christopher Mellon to share his name with senior-level officials who could help Jay Stratton and Luis Elizondo reach James Mattis.
“A week prior, I had given permission to Chris Mellon to share my name with some senior-level officials he knew who would be in a position to help Jay and me get to Mattis appropriately.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch28:654-825 testimony first hand
30
On 2017-10-04, Luis Elizondo submitted his formal resignation letter, addressed to James Mattis, by handing a paper copy to a colleague to deliver to the secretary's office.
“That afternoon, I submitted my formal resignation letter—handing a paper copy inside an envelope to a colleague to deliver to the secretary’s office.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch29:1277-1419 testimony first hand
31
At the Pentagon's Christmas party, aides told Secretary of Defense James Mattis that the New York Times was running a front-page Sunday story reporting a secret Department of Defense program investigating UAP and asking why Luis Elizondo had resigned.
““Sir, the *New York Times* is running a front-page story in the Sunday paper saying that we have a secret program investigating UAP. They are asking why Lue resigned.””
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch29:19049-19205 hearsay second hand
32
When told that Luis Elizondo had resigned two months earlier, James Mattis was surprised, not having previously known of the resignation.
“Mattis was taken aback. “When did Lue resign?” ... “Uh, two months ago, sir.””
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch29:19303-19372 hearsay second hand
33
Garry Reid had withheld Luis Elizondo's resignation from James Mattis, hoping he would never need to reveal Elizondo's departure to him.
“Apparently, Garry Reid had swept my resignation under the rug, hoping he would never need to reveal my departure to Mattis.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch29:19379-19495 opinion first hand
34
Luis Elizondo deliberately addressed his resignation letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis so that no one in the Pentagon would be able to keep it from him.
“I had deliberately addressed my resignation letter to Secretary of Defense Mattis so no one in the Pentagon would be able to keep it from him.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch29:4448-4586 testimony first hand
35
Luis Elizondo wrote two resignation letters: one for his chain of command and one addressed directly to Secretary of Defense James Mattis.
“I crafted two resignation letters, one for my chain of command and one to the secretary himself.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch29:778-866 testimony first hand
36
James Mattis resigned as Secretary of Defense in January 2019 due to differences with the Trump administration.
“Mattis resigned his post in January 2019 due to differences with the Trump administration and went on to suffer the ignominy of being mocked on social media.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch30:6249-6400 administrative first hand
37
After James Mattis left the Pentagon, the narrative around the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) was reframed to portray Lue Elizondo as a fabricator, and the Pentagon kept giving false information about his employment record.
“With Mattis gone, the AATIP narrative was reframed to portray me as a fabricator. As a result, the Pentagon kept lying when asked about my employment record.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch30:6407-6557 testimony first hand
38
Luis Elizondo wrote an official resignation memo to the Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, highlighting the urgent need to address the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) issue as it relates to US national security and nuclear weapons and technology.
“My official resignation memo to the Secretary of Defense, highlighting the urgent need to address the UAP issue as it relates to US national security and our nuclear weapons and technology.”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch35:2515-2693 administrative first hand
39
Christopher Mellon worked directly with the plan to help Luis Elizondo get an audience with the Secretary of Defense.
“my first instinct was to work through the chain of command...getting him an audience with the secretary of defense”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:20147-20198 testimony first hand
40
Christopher Mellon was friends with two men who worked directly with Secretary of Defense James Mattis on a near daily basis.
“I was friends with two highly capable and patriotic young men who worked directly with Secretary of Defense James Mattis on a near daily basis”
Imminent: Inside the Pentagon's Hunt for UFOs 2024-08-19 ch6:20439-20576 testimony first hand