Congressman Told to Get Security After UFO Questions

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett and investigative journalist Ross Coulthart have made striking new claims about the UFO phenomenon in recent interviews, raising questions about who controls classified information and the risks faced by those who pursue the truth.

During an appearance on the Steve Deace Show, Congressman Burchett described extensive interactions with whistleblowers throughout his time investigating UAPs. According to Burchett, many of these individuals are so concerned about being identified that they refuse to enter congressional office buildings, citing fears of facial recognition technology. He stated that some have requested to meet him outside the building, while others have come to his personal home to share videos and information they could not discuss in official settings. Burchett expressed frustration with conflicting information within the government itself, noting that one NASA official claimed to have nothing while another showed him materials. He emphasized that until a president or someone at that level releases the files, the public will never get to the bottom of this issue.

When asked directly whether he believes non-human intelligence is at work on Earth, Burchett confirmed that he does. However, he clarified that his primary concern is disclosure and understanding where billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on programs he is not permitted to discuss publicly.

Congressman Tim Burchett

Perhaps most striking was Burchett’s admission that during President Trump’s first administration, he was advised to get personal security for asking questions about the UAP issue. He acknowledged making this statement with a degree of dark humor, adding that he always tells people he is not suicidal and does not stand near cliffs.

In a separate interview on NewsNation’s Reality Check Q&A, Ross Coulthart revealed a story he claims has never been told publicly. According to Coulthart, one of his program insiders gave him a personal mobile phone number and told him it belonged to the person running the UFO legacy program. That person, according to the source, was former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away in November 2025. Coulthart stated that he called the number and was shocked when Cheney answered. He admitted he panicked and hung up immediately, fearing repercussions for contacting someone allegedly at the top of the classified program.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

This claim aligns with previous reporting from journalist Walter Kirn, who revealed that UFO whistleblower David Grusch privately named Dick Cheney as sitting at the top of what Kirn described as the classified UFO information pyramid. According to public records, when Cheney was questioned on Washington D.C. public radio in April 2001 about whether he had been briefed on UFOs, his response was notably evasive, stating that if he had been briefed, it was probably classified and he could not discuss it.

Sources

Diane Rehm — On My Mind. (2010, March 6). Vice President Dick Cheney — Diane Rehm. Diane Rehm. https://dianerehm.org/shows/2001-04-11/vice-president-dick-cheney

NewsNation. (2025, December 15). Ross Coulthart Q&A: Was Dick Cheney involved in the “Legacy Program”? | Reality Check [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwhbNOac438

Steve Deace. (2025, December 11). AGE OF DISCLOSURE: Why UFOs May not be what You Think | 12/11/25 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3fzAHB2_hQ