Coulthart Explains DoD UAP NDA Waiver Limits to PURSUE Only
Source: NewsNation · All NewsNation reports
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Summary
In the NewsNation segment, investigative journalist Ross Coulthart breaks down recent U.S. government mechanisms for UAP-related disclosures. He describes provisions allowing current and former Department of Defense (referred to as Department of War) military members, civilians, and contractors to share classified UAP information from special access programs with the Presidential Records Unsealing Initiative (PURSUE), without violating NDAs. Coulthart stresses this is limited to confidential submissions to the executive branch for review and potential declassification. He notes parallel but slightly distinct rules for the intelligence community established by a memo from Aaron Lukas (also spelled Lucas in some reports) of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence about a month prior. The segment emphasizes these are not blanket waivers for public discussion.
Editorial Assessment
Coulthart provides a clear, restrained assessment that accurately captures the waiver's purpose and limitations, countering potential public misunderstanding that insiders can now freely speak to media or Congress. Viewers gain useful context on the controlled nature of the process, which routes information through cleared government channels for security review before any release. Missing is deeper discussion of implementation challenges, such as contractor compliance or whether criminal statutes remain in force. The framing leans toward viewing PURSUE as a positive transparency step under the current administration, potentially skewing perception that broader disclosure is imminent when releases remain selective and redacted. Overall, the segment equips viewers with precise mechanics rather than hype, though it assumes familiarity with PURSUE's rolling file drops on war.gov/ufo.
Key Moments
The waiver allows DoD personnel and contractors with SAP UAP info to share it with PURSUE without breaching NDAs
Confirmed in the Sept. 14, 2026 DoD press release and related coverage; waiver supersedes civil/administrative provisions of NDAs and SAPIAs strictly for disclosures to designated PURSUE reps.
This does not permit speaking to journalists, podcasts, or the public
Multiple sources including WIRED and The Debrief explicitly state protections are limited to authorized government channels and do not extend to media, Congress, or public disclosure.
Similar provisions exist for the intelligence community via an Aaron Lucas memo from ODNI about a month ago
ODNI memo signed July 31, 2026 by Principal Deputy DNI Aaron Lukas (spelling variation common in reports) directs IC agencies to implement NDA waivers for disclosures to PURSUE or AARO, with 30-day implementation.
PURSUE is the mechanism for providing info in confidence to the executive branch for review
PURSUE (Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters) is the Trump-directed interagency declassification pipeline launched in May 2026; info goes to cleared reps for potential public release on war.gov/ufo.
Notable Concerns
- Slight name variations (Department of War, Aaron Lucas/Lukas) could confuse viewers unfamiliar with recent rebranding or staffing
- Does not address whether the waiver covers criminal penalties under espionage laws, only civil and administrative NDA enforcement
Sources Consulted
- Department of War Issues Legal Waiver to Authorize UAP Disclosures to PURSUE
- The Trump Administration Sends a New Signal to Alien Disclosure Whistleblowers
- Pentagon Opens New Pathway for Government Insiders to Disclose UAP Information
- Pentagon Issues New Waiver to Expand UFO Disclosure Efforts
- Trump directs agencies to waive NDAs for UAP whistleblowers today
- ODNI UFO Memo Explained: NDA Waivers, 30-Day Deadline
- What is PURSUE? UAP records release program explained
- Department of War Releases Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Files