Communication Between AARO and Mr. David Grusch
AARO FOIA release 24-F-0266 contains a January 2024 memorandum, messages, emails, and authorization memoranda documenting efforts to arrange an interview with David Grusch. The record also preserves Grusch’s stated security and authorization concerns, making the release evidence of a disputed interview process rather than proof of either side’s substantive UAP claims.
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Document Intel
Source status, provenance, and extraction context.
- Source / agency
- All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
- Type
- Correspondence
- Classification
- Redacted
- Reference #
- 24-F-0266
- Published
- —
- Content Type
- application/pdf
- Pages
- 26
Structured Analysis
Claims and source material extracted from the document text. Timeline context is surfaced in document intel.
AARO’s January 2024 memorandum says the office extended multiple direct and intermediary invitations to interview David Grusch for its congressionally directed historical report.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) extended multiple invitations to Mr. David Grusch for the purpose of conducting an oral history interview in support of the Congressionally directed Historical Record Report (HRR).
The memorandum states that the FY2023 defense authorization allows AARO to receive UAP reporting regardless of classification or compartmentalization.
The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 authorizes AARO to receive reporting about U.S. Government activities and events related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), regardless of classification level or compartmentalization
The memorandum records several June and July 2023 efforts to reach Grusch through Senate staff and intermediaries and to offer a secure interview.
On June 26th, 2023, AARO staff contacted Interviewee
AARO’s memorandum says Grusch contacted the office on November 10, 2023, agreed to a November 14 interview, and received a Defense Department special-access authorization memorandum.
On November 10th, 2023, Mr. Grusch contacted AARO, at the urging of Congressional Staff Members, and agreed to be interviewed in Arlington, VA
AARO’s memorandum says Grusch did not appear for the November 14 interview and told the office he was unconvinced it could receive all relevant classified and sensitive information.
On November 14th, 2023, Mr. Grusch failed to show at the agreed upon location and time for an interview with AARO.
The memorandum says AARO sent another invitation on November 19, offering to meet in a SCIF, and that Grusch declined while citing security concerns.
We would be glad to meet with you in a SCIF so that you could share information with us.
The released email chain shows Grusch told AARO in January 2024 to address specific concerns he had sent on November 19 before proceeding.
Thank you will review. Please address my specific concerns that I sent via email on 19 Nov 23.
Grusch’s November email asked about authorization for intelligence-community compartments, restricted handling, managed-need-to-know projects, and non-Title-10 special-access programs.
Lastly, what signed policy does AARO have to receive non-title-10 SAPs (ie, DOE and NSC)?
The ODNI attachment states that people covered by nondisclosure agreements may provide UAP-related information to AARO as an authorized disclosure for the office’s assigned mission.
Individuals with current or previous access to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP)-related or presumed relevant information which is subject to a USG Nondisclosure Agreement are authorized to provide this otherwise protected information to AARO representatives.
The Defense Department attachment likewise authorizes AARO to receive NDA-protected UAP information and requires discussions of sensitive information to occur in appropriate secure spaces.
The provision of UAP-related information which is subject to a Nondisclosure Agreement to AARO personnel constitutes an authorized disclosure
Chronology extracted from the document text.
Pages reviewed for public release
The released pages state they were reviewed by AARO’s chief of staff under the FY2024 NDAA.
ODNI authorization sent
AARO provided an ODNI controlled-access authorization memorandum and reiterated its standing invitation.
AARO renews invitation
AARO offered a SCIF interview; the record says Grusch declined while raising security concerns.
Scheduled interview does not occur
AARO’s memorandum says Grusch did not appear and later questioned the office’s authorization.
Grusch contacts AARO
The memorandum says Grusch contacted AARO and agreed to an interview.
AARO seeks Grusch contact information
The memorandum says AARO staff asked an interviewee for Grusch’s current telephone number.
AARO contacts intermediary
The memorandum says AARO’s director discussed authorities with a close associate of Grusch and encouraged contact.
Referenced In Coverage
Investigative posts, source items, and other coverage that currently cite this document.
Probed ingest of: David Grusch: The Whistleblower Who Told Congress We're Not Alone
The Dr. Phil Podcast’s Phil McGraw questions former intelligence officer David Grusch about his UAP whistleblowing, alleged reprisals, and claims that the United States holds recovered non-human craft and biological material. Grusch distinguishes classified imagery he says he personally viewed from secondhand accounts of live occupants and telepathic communication, while McGraw presses for physical evidence, contextualized disclosure, and public-health planning.