On May 10, 2025, a significant interview aired on NewsNation’s Reality Check with investigative journalist Ross Coulthart, featuring retired U.S. Border Patrol Agent Bob Thompson. Thompson, a whistleblower with decades of service along the U.S.-Mexico border, revealed that hundreds of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have reported witnessing a wide range of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) in Arizona’s border region. His claims, backed by video evidence and firsthand accounts, have reignited discussions about UAP activity in this strategically sensitive area.
Thompson, who spent years patrolling the southern border, stated that over his career, he collected reports from numerous CBP agents who observed UAP, describing them as orbs, triangular craft, and other unusual shapes. One of the most striking claims came from agents who reported seeing “portals opening in the sky,” a phenomenon that defies conventional explanation and suggests advanced technology or non-human intelligence. These sightings, according to Thompson, were frequent and often occurred in remote desert areas where border agents operate under high-stress conditions, making their observations particularly noteworthy.
During the NewsNation interview, Thompson presented previously unreleased video footage dubbed “The Cigar Video,” captured in Arizona. The video, which Coulthart described as compelling, shows a cigar-shaped object moving silently across the sky, exhibiting behavior inconsistent with known aircraft or drones. Thompson emphasized that this footage was just one example of the evidence he has gathered, pointing to a broader pattern of UAP activity that he believes the government has failed to address transparently. He expressed frustration at the lack of official acknowledgment, noting that these sightings pose potential security risks in an already volatile border region.
The Arizona-Mexico border, spanning rugged terrain and known for its role in immigration and trafficking challenges, has long been a hotspot for UAP reports. Thompson’s revelations align with Arizona’s broader history of such phenomena—Maricopa County alone recorded about 56 UFO sightings per 100,000 residents between 2000 and 2023, making the state the fourth-highest in the U.S. for UFO reports, according to data compiled by Axios Phoenix and The Arizona Republic. While Thompson’s claims focus on recent decades, they echo historical incidents like the 1997 Phoenix Lights, where thousands witnessed unexplained lights over the city, cementing Arizona’s reputation as a UAP focal point.
Coulthart, a veteran journalist known for his UAP investigations, pressed Thompson on the implications of these sightings. Thompson speculated that the UAP could be linked to non-human intelligence, a view gaining traction amid recent government whistleblower testimonies. He referenced reports from agents who felt these phenomena were monitoring border activities, though he stopped short of definitive conclusions, urging further investigation. Coulthart, who has previously interviewed high-profile whistleblowers like David Grusch, noted that Thompson’s account adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting the U.S. government may be withholding information about UAP encounters.
The government’s response to UAP sightings has historically been dismissive or opaque. The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established in 2022 to investigate UAP, reported in March 2024 that most sightings result from misidentified ordinary objects like balloons or drones, with a 2023-2024 report citing 757 cases, of which only 21 remained unexplained. Thompson’s claims challenge this narrative, as the behaviors he described—portals, silent movement, and rapid acceleration—don’t align with prosaic explanations. Moreover, the Pentagon has denied possessing retrieval craft, a stance Coulthart has long criticized as evasive, citing mixed messages from officials, as noted in a February 2025 Daily Mail article.
Public sentiment, reflected in posts on X following the interview, shows a mix of intrigue and skepticism. Some users hailed Thompson as a credible voice, pointing to his long career and the video evidence, while others questioned whether the sightings could be attributed to advanced military tech or natural phenomena like atmospheric plasma. The border’s proximity to military bases like Fort Huachuca, known for testing drones and surveillance tech, fuels speculation that these UAP could be classified U.S. projects. However, the “portals” and non-conventional craft shapes reported by agents stretch beyond known technology, leaving room for debate.
Thompson’s interview adds pressure on the government at a time when UAP transparency is a growing concern. Just months earlier, in January 2025, whistleblower Jake Barber told Coulthart on NewsNation about recovering an egg-shaped UAP, claiming the U.S. has retrieved non-human tech—a claim AARO has dismissed. Thompson’s revelations, while lacking physical artifacts, amplify calls for disclosure, especially in a region critical to national security. As Coulthart noted, if hundreds of trained border agents are witnessing unexplained phenomena, the public deserves answers, not silence.
This May 10, 2025, interview underscores a persistent mystery: what are these objects, and why are they drawn to the Arizona-Mexico border? Whether they represent advanced human technology, natural anomalies, or something more profound, Thompson’s account ensures the question remains open, demanding scrutiny beyond the government’s standard denials.
