Inconsistency · I-G-02

Contacts with AARO: the AARO memo and Grusch's version

David Grusch

Weight: Substantial

First version

Jan 8, 2024 · An AARO memo obtained via FOIA claims that it had become evident that Grusch did not intend to provide information on his assertions and that he did not appear at a scheduled meeting. As early as June 2023, AARO had informed his attorney that by law it could receive any information on UAP, even classified, and a memo from the DoD SAP Central Office authorized it to hear from people bound by nondisclosure agreements. FOIA documents on AARO's attempts to hear from Grusch, case 24-F-0266 (The Black Vault, April 18, 2024)

Second version

May 2024 · Grusch claims that AARO officially contacted him only in November 2023, that his January 8, 2024 email with security questions went unanswered, and that AARO does not have access to the information he gave to the ICIG and the intelligence committees. NewsNation, Grusch's statement on AARO after the FOIA documents (May 3, 2024)

Analysis

Rather than an internal contradiction, these are two competing versions, and both document contacts. The disagreement is about trust and guarantees: Grusch relies on the ICIG, which he considers independent of the DoD, and was asking for answers on security issues; AARO maintains that it has the legal authority to receive classified information. The two statements about access can both be true, because AARO can receive information from Grusch without having access to the ICIG's case files. The June 2023 contacts went through Christopher Mellon and the attorney and may not have been considered “official,” which would make the dates compatible. The July 2023 contrast remains: Kirkpatrick wrote that the main source of the allegations had refused to speak with AARO, while Grusch, under oath, said he had offered him pointers when he took over as head of AARO and, in statements reported by the press, that he had never been contacted by him. Grusch's email and the AARO memo bear the same date. As of October 31, 2026, there is no record of any substantive conversation between Grusch and AARO.

Sources

1. FOIA documents on AARO's attempts to hear from Grusch, case 24-F-0266 (The Black Vault, April 18, 2024) (primary source)
2. NewsNation, Grusch's statement on AARO after the FOIA documents (May 3, 2024) (press)

On this site

People 1

• David Grusch

Claims 2

• David Grusch: Calls inaccurate the statement by AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick that there is no credible evidence, reports… Disputed
• David Grusch: Claims that AARO contacted him officially only in November 2023, that his email of January 8, 2024 with… Disputed

Documents 2

• AARO's rules for receiving information covered by nondisclosure agreements, including the contacts with Grusch in November 2023 Documented provenance
• The AARO memorandum on the attempts to hear from Grusch Original available

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