Person
Eric Burlison
Republican Representative from Missouri; had Grusch as an adviser (2025-2026)
2023– · Congress · Politician
Republican Representative from Missouri, he questioned Grusch at the July 26, 2023 hearing and Elizondo at the November 13, 2024 one, afterward sending him written questions. From March 27, 2025 to September 2026 he had Grusch as special adviser for the work on UAP transparency and on the declassification task force. On July 22, 2026 the House adopted an amendment of his to the 2027 Defense budget that establishes a framework for the disclosure of UAP documents; on August 1, 2026 he made public the implementation guidance for Trump's directive on nondisclosure agreements.
- Key claims
- Maintains that AARO's line is misleading because, according to him, the government does in fact possess something.
- Showed at a hearing (2025) an MQ-9 drone video in which a Hellfire missile appears to hit an object without bringing it down, presenting it as received from a whistleblower.
- Called for immunity for anyone who has come forward or will come forward (June 2026).
- Controversies
- According to The War Zone's analysis, which is not definitive, the MQ-9 video is consistent with an attempt to shoot down a drone or a cruise missile; a Defense official said they had nothing to share.
- Today
- In October 2026 he said he was still on the trail of the alleged footage of bodies described by Grusch, with requests to Lockheed Martin, the CIA, the FBI and the Department of War; the Senate outcome of the disclosure provision is not confirmed.
Documented authority
It measures how documented and verifiable what the person claims is, not their honesty. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2.
- Credentials 2/2
- The congressional term is documented by primary sources.
- Direct access not applicable
- Reports materials received from whistleblowers; does not claim direct knowledge of the programs.
- Evidence provided 1/2
- He has made documents public (implementation guidance, the MQ-9 video), but the interpretation of the video is uncertain.
- Claims track record not applicable
- His main legislative initiative is still under way.
- Conflicts of interest not applicable
- The sources consulted do not document financial interests tied to the topic.
Sources
- Press release from Eric Burlison: Grusch special adviser (March 27, 2025) (primary source)
- Burlison press release: implementation guidance for the NDA directive (August 1, 2026) (primary source)
- Burlison press release: the House adopts his amendment on UAP disclosure (primary source)
- Transcript of the House hearing of July 26, 2023 (GovInfo) (primary source)
- The War Zone, September 9, 2025: the MQ-9 video shown at the hearing (press)
- Cybernews, October 2026: Burlison and the footage described by Grusch (press)
On this site
Promises 1
- Eric Burlison: Burlison said that agencies and contractors know that Congress is aware of their existence and that the… Deadline still open
Documents 5
- The transcript of the July 26, 2023 House hearing with Grusch, Graves and Fravor Original available
- The transcript of the November 13, 2024 House hearing with Elizondo, Gallaudet, Shellenberger and Gold Original available
- Elizondo's written answers to Rep. Burlison's questions Documented provenance
- The transcript of the September 9, 2025 hearing of the declassification task force Original available
- The ODNI guidance that releases from nondisclosure agreements those who speak with AARO or PURSUE Documented provenance
Timeline 8
- Jul 26, 2023: House hearing: Grusch speaks under oath of “non-human biologics”
- Mar 27, 2025: Grusch becomes special adviser to Rep. Eric Burlison
- Sep 9, 2025: Hearing of Luna's task force on UAP transparency and whistleblower protection
- May 2026: The “Disclosure Forum 2026” in Congress with Gillibrand, Burlison and Burchett
- Jun 9, 2026: Grusch's press conference at the Capitol: “slush funds” and biological material
- Jul 21, 2026: Presidential directive: confidentiality restrictions lifted for those who speak with AARO
- Jul 22, 2026: The House passes Burlison's UAP Disclosure Act in the 2027 Defense budget
- Sep 2026: Grusch leaves Rep. Burlison's office after about 18 months
Open in the interactive archive The whole section: Directory of people
UAPgrade's entries are compiled with artificial intelligence (three verifiers with opposing roles) and checked against the sources listed above: how we work. Have a document that changes this entry? Bring it to the Investigations Unit.