DoD Watchdog: Full Denial on Whistleblower Complaint Files
Military oversight officials rejected a records request seeking materials submitted by whistleblower David Grusch. All twenty-five responsive pages were withheld under various exemptions. The refusal suggests an active inquiry into Grusch's complaint remains ongoing.
Background
On March 7, 2024, the Pentagon's internal watchdog responded to a Freedom of Information Act petition filed two months prior. The inquiry sought all documentation submitted by former intelligence officer David Grusch regarding unidentified aerial phenomena. Officials refused to release any materials, citing twenty-five pages of responsive records.
The denial relied upon multiple statutory exemptions protecting confidential employee complaints, internal deliberations, personal privacy, and law enforcement techniques. Authorities indicated that disclosure could compromise an ongoing investigation, implying that Grusch's formal complaint to the Inspector General remains under active review.
This response contrasts with earlier disclosures about Grusch's cooperation with an evaluation panel. The requester intends to challenge the decision, arguing that public congressional testimony has already revealed unclassified elements of the complaint.