Official position · S-031
After leaving his post, Kirkpatrick wrote that the retrieval narrative is a textbook case of circular reporting, spread by a small group of interconnected believers and by others with perhaps less honest intentions, and that many allegations derive from inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of legitimate U.S. programs. In an interview on January 23, 2024, he added that, when he left AARO, Grusch had not shown up.
Former AARO director (personal opinion) · Sean Kirkpatrick · Jan 19, 2024
Legacy program and recoveries
What it denies and what it leaves open
It is the personal opinion of a former official, not an official DoD position; the article does not name Grusch and does not go into the classified details of the individual allegations.
- Who disputes it
- Rep. Luna accused him of lying during the hearing of September 9, 2025; Christopher Mellon and The Debrief dispute several of his arguments and the quality of AARO's work.
- Concerns
- David Grusch, Luis Elizondo
Sources
- Kirkpatrick's interview with Peter Bergen, January 2024 (YouTube) (video/audio)
- Oversight Committee: Luna's opening statement at the hearing of September 9, 2025 (primary source)
- Scientific American, Kirkpatrick: “Here's What I Learned as the U.S. Government's UFO Hunter” (press, skeptical)
- The Debrief: “some of his arguments don't hit the mark” (press, pro-disclosure)
On this site
People 2
Where the claims come from 1
Open in the interactive archive The whole section: Denials and official positions
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