David Charles Grusch

UAP Whistleblower & Former USAF Intelligence Officer

Born 1987

B.S. Physics (minor in German), University of Pittsburgh

M.A. Intelligence Studies (with honors), American Military University

Affiliations

The Sol Foundation (COO)
Office of Rep. Eric Burlison (Special Advisor)

David Charles Grusch is a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer and senior civilian intelligence official who became the most prominent UAP whistleblower of the modern era. His career spanned more than a decade across some of the most sensitive corners of U.S. intelligence – from space control operations at Peterson and Schriever Air Force Bases, to a senior integration role at the Space Security and Defense Program, to the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Multiple outlets and official statements describe him as a “decorated” officer, though specific decorations have not been publicly enumerated.

In June 2023, Grusch went public with claims that the U.S. government operates a multi-decade crash-retrieval and reverse-engineering program involving craft of non-human origin – and that information about these programs had been illegally withheld from Congress. A month later, he testified under oath before the House Oversight Committee, triggering a wave of Congressional attention, legislative action, and global media coverage that reshaped the UAP disclosure landscape.

Career Timeline

Year	Role	Organization
2009–2011	Officer in Charge, Space Control Intelligence Cell (Active Duty)	21st Operations Group, Peterson AFB
2011–2013	Intelligence Flight Commander (Active Duty)	3d Space Experimentation Squadron, Schriever AFB
2013–2016	Chief, Intelligence Integration Division (Active Duty)	Space Security and Defense Program, Reston, VA
2014–2016	Adjunct Professor	American Public University System
2016–2021	Senior Intelligence Officer, Major (Reserve, O-4 in O-5 billet)	National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
2016–2021	Corporate Security Officer / DoD SETA contractor	Blue Sky Innovators Inc.
2019–2021	NRO Representative, UAP Task Force (UAPTF)	Office of the Director of National Intelligence
2021–2023	Senior GEOINT Capabilities Requirements Officer (GS-15)	National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
2022–2023	Key Employee Augmentee (Reserve)	U.S. Air Force Academy
2023–present	Chief Operating Officer	The Sol Foundation
2025–present	Special Advisor (UAP transparency/oversight)	Office of Rep. Eric Burlison (R–MO)

Role in UAP Disclosure

The Whistleblower Filing

In July 2021, Grusch provided classified UAP-related information to the Department of Defense Inspector General. On May 25, 2022, he filed a formal “urgent concern” disclosure and reprisal complaint under Presidential Policy Directive 19 (PPD-19) through the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG). The filing alleged that UAP-related classified information had been “withheld and/or concealed” from Congress and that he had suffered retaliation after making protected disclosures.

The ICIG subsequently found his assertion about information being concealed from Congress to be “credible and urgent” – a procedural determination that triggered Congressional notification requirements, though it did not constitute validation of the underlying claims about extraterrestrial technology.

Going Public

On June 5, 2023, journalists Leslie Kean and Ralph Blumenthal published an explosive report in The Debrief identifying Grusch by name and detailing his allegations: that the U.S. government possesses retrieved craft of non-human origin, that a multi-decade reverse-engineering effort exists across special access programs, and that this information was being illegally hidden from Congressional oversight.

Congressional Testimony

On July 26, 2023, Grusch testified under oath before the House Oversight Subcommittee in a hearing titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Implications on National Security, Public Safety, and Government Transparency.” His testimony was measured and carefully framed – he explicitly acknowledged that his public claims were based on information provided by others with alleged direct knowledge, not personal observation.

When asked directly whether the U.S. government possesses recovered UAP, he answered: “Absolutely.”

The hearing drew enormous public attention and helped catalyze bipartisan UAP legislation in the FY2024 and FY2026 NDAAs, including provisions for enhanced whistleblower protections and UAP disclosure frameworks.

AARO and the Pentagon Response

The Department of Defense, through the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), has publicly stated it found no verifiable evidence supporting claims of extraterrestrial technology or reverse-engineering programs. AARO also stated it attempted to interview Grusch for its congressionally directed Historical Record Report but received “negative results.”

Special Advisor to Congress

On March 27, 2025, Rep. Eric Burlison announced Grusch as a Special Advisor to the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets. The role formalized his position as a Hill advisor working to “help the US Congress restore full oversight” on UAP-related matters.

The Trump Era

In early 2026, Grusch told Fox News’ Bret Baier that President Trump is “very well informed” on UAPs, confirmed he had seen photographs of non-human biological remains, and named former Vice President Dick Cheney as the last person to centrally oversee the alleged programs. Chris Mellon, responding to the same Trump directive, called it “clearly a historic development” while cautioning that follow-through would determine its real impact.

Notable Statements

“…withheld and/or concealed UAP-related classified information from the US Congress.” – ICIG PPD-19 filing, May 25, 2022

“I became a whistleblower through a PPD-19 urgent concern filing in May 2022…” – House Oversight hearing, July 26, 2023

“My testimony is based on information I have been given by individuals…” – House Oversight hearing, July 26, 2023

”…I am speaking to the facts as I have been told them.” – House Oversight hearing, July 26, 2023

“Absolutely.” – Response when asked whether the U.S. government possesses recovered UAP, Nextgov, July 26, 2023

“I wasn’t really a believer – I was agnostic about it.” – The Joe Rogan Experience #2065, November 21, 2023

“…help the US Congress restore full oversight…” – Statement upon appointment as Special Advisor, burlison.house.gov, March 27, 2025

Key Publications & Appearances

Date	Title / Appearance	Outlet
May 25, 2022	PPD-19 “Urgent Concern” Filing via ICIG	Intelligence Community Inspector General
June 5, 2023	Intelligence Officials Say U.S. Has Retrieved Craft of Non-Human Origin	The Debrief
June 11, 2023	We Are Not Alone: The UFO Whistleblower Speaks (Ross Coulthart interview)	NewsNation
July 26, 2023	Sworn testimony – House Oversight hearing on UAP	U.S. House Oversight Committee
November 21, 2023	The Joe Rogan Experience #2065	Spotify
January 25, 2024	The Tucker Carlson Encounter – Dave Grusch	TuckerCarlson.com
March 27, 2025	Appointed Special Advisor to Rep. Burlison	U.S. House of Representatives
February 2026	Interview with Bret Baier – “Trump is very well informed” on UAPs	Fox News