Kirkpatrick's rebuttal (Scientific American op-ed + interviews).
documentedsource_actorSOF/JSOC UAP Retrieval Claim
Kirkpatrick's published rebuttal: the disclosure narrative is circular reporting by a 'small group of interconnected believers'; Grusch refused to brief AARO and relayed secondhand/thirdhand stories.
In a 2024 Scientific American op-ed Kirkpatrick wrote his office 'discovered a few things, and none were about aliens,' calling the narrative 'a textbook example of circular reporting' driven by 'a small group of interconnected believers and others with possibly less than honest intentions' trafficking in 'tall tales, fabrication and secondhand or thirdhand retellings.' He repeatedly stated Grusch 'has refused to speak with AARO' so claims given to Congress never reached his office, and suggested a 'core group' had influenced Grusch. Documented statements of record. Honest residual: Grusch disputes the outreach claim, and a FOIA release surfaced Kirkpatrick's Signal messages plus questions about AARO's legal authority over the relevant CAPs.