A bit about my background to preface my opinions — I work in corporate communications. I’ve spent a lot of years helping global brands shape finely tuned messaging. I can attest to how carefully language is crafted whenever broaching controversial topics. Though I’ve never worked in political messaging, I am certain the same strategic principles apply. So with that, let’s examine the following statement Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) released on July 14, 2023 to explain why he and Sen. Mike Rounds (R) co-sponsored the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act.

Here’s the full press statement that includes Schumer’s quote, among other elected officials involved. But I want to just focus on Schumer’s statement, because I think it reveals the most profound declarations, given his stature as Majority Leader and long tenured politician. Here it is:

“For decades, many Americans have been fascinated by objects mysterious and unexplained and it’s long past time they get some answers. The American public has a right to learn about technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence, and unexplainable phenomena. We are not only working to declassify what the government has previously learned about these phenomena but to create a pipeline for future research to be made public. I am honored to carry on the legacy of my mentor and dear friend, Harry Reid and fight for the transparency that the public has long demanded surround these unexplained phenomena.”

The most remarkable aspect of the statement is its omission of one very important word: if

The whole message conveys an inherent certainty in its own premise. Let’s break it down into pieces to understand the statement’s overall logic and intent:

“For decades, many Americans have been fascinated by objects mysterious and unexplained and it’s long past time they get some answers.”

The “… long past time they get some answers” is the most intriguing part of the opening sentence, because Schumer is cleverly contextualizing the situation for many different audiences at once. He’s speaking to UAP newcomers, skeptics, and non-believers in an authoritative manner. The message is clear and unequivocal: the legitimacy of the UAP topic is not up for debate anymore. There are “answers” that need to be revealed. Period.

But even more interesting to my reading is I believe he’s mostly speaking to people like you and me — longtime believers and activists and knowledgeable UAP researchers. What he’s indirectly acknowledging is the government has given you “answers” before, but unfortunately they were bullshit (see Project Blue Book, Condon Report, Project Grudge). To you, Schumer is saying, let’s finally clear this up.

“The American public has a right to learn about technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence, and unexplained phenomena.”

Again, no if’s, and’s or but’s. Schumer bluntly states the fact of the matter. He’s not saying the American public has a right to learn about “technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence, and unexplained phenomena” if they exist. He is once again reinforcing the indirect message they do exist, without question. And you have a right to learn about them.

In terms of pure messaging craftsmanship, I’m impressed with the way Schumer’s statement speaks authoritatively yet indirectly. Messaging this perfectly balanced between certitude and vagueness does not happen accidentally. It is expertly woven wording designed to be at once honest yet blurry enough not to draw more attention than he wants it to.

“We are not only working to declassify what the government has previously learned about these phenomena but to create a pipeline for future research to be made public.”

The “phenomena” is real. He just said it without saying it. No mention of Chinese spy balloons or misidentified UFO’s of prosaic origin. No, we’re talking about the phenomena. Nothing else.

I am honored to carry on the legacy of my mentor and dear friend, Harry Reid and fight for the transparency that the public has long demanded surround these unexplained phenomena.

We should consider “legacy” not only in the context of Harry Reid, but also Schumer himself, because it belies Schumer’s true motive in co-sponsoring the Unidentified Anomalous Disclosure Act. I would ask you to consider what most American politicians of Schumer’s stature are trying to do at this point in their careers. They want to cement their political legacy. This is Schumer’s primary objective. And he’s hitching his wagon to the UAP movement because he’s seen and heard enough to know the time is right.

Disclosure is happening, friends. It’s happening in real time. Language like this from a Majority Leader like Chuck Schumer leaves no room for doubt.

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