The Pentagon does not deny or confirm discovery of extraterrestrial materials

The Pentagon does not deny or confirm that its UFO office, known as the All Domains Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), has uncovered verifiable information to substantiate allegations that any current or former US program possessed or possessed unauthorized intelligence materials. human or of unknown origin.

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Department of Defense (DoD) spokeswoman Susan Gough told the  Liberation Times  :

“To date, the AARO has not uncovered any verifiable information to substantiate allegations that any program related to the possession or reverse engineering of extraterrestrial materials has existed in the past or currently exists.”

But when asked if the term ‘alien’ could be extended to materials of unknown origin or non-human intelligence (a term used specifically by whistleblower  David Grusch  ), Gough refused to go beyond existing statements on file provided by the Department of Defense.

The  Liberation Times  offered the Department of Defense the opportunity to comment further on its position on this terminology; Until publication, there are no indications that such a move is likely.

While it is noteworthy that the Department of Defense declines to comment further, this is not an admission that programs dealing with materials of unknown or non-human origin have been discovered.

There could be a variety of reasons for using the term ‘extraterrestrial’, a term meaning ‘from outside the Earth or its atmosphere’.

But as a department very attuned to the power of language and its ramifications, it is essential not to overlook the importance of the Department of Defense’s lack of acknowledgment of the words specifically chosen by Grusch to respond to his allegations.

Also of note, Gough confirmed that the AARO addressed alleged programs related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP/UFO) raised by individuals who came forward as part of a congressionally mandated historical review, raising the possibility that members of the team have found exotic materials.

And in investigating such programs, the Department of Defense spokeswoman confirmed that AARO was not denied access:

“AARO has rigorously investigated alleged programs cited by individuals who have come forward as part of the historical review ordered by Congress.

To date, AARO has not been denied access to any US government program, past or present, during the course of its work.”

The AARO, under the leadership of Director Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, lacks Title 50 authorities.

As a result, AARO cannot access information related to covert actions and most intelligence operations conducted by agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or the National Security Agency without authorization and explicit access.

However, AARO staff members may gain access if they meet individual security standards.

Susan Gough suggested that this potential problem did not affect AARO’s mission, stating:

“By law, AARO may receive all UFO-related information, including any classified national security information involving military, intelligence, and intelligence-related activities, at all levels of classification, regardless of any restrictive access controls, programs security, special or compartmentalized access. access programs.

In addition, there are no restrictions on the AARO receiving past or present UFO-related information, regardless of the original classification authority’s organizational affiliation with the DoD, the intelligence community, or any other US government department or agency. USA

Addressing Title 50 authorities directly, Gough added that Title 50 authorities are unrelated to the AARO’s ability to receive all UFO-related information through authorized disclosures:

“The question of possible supplemental statutory authorities for the AARO, codified in Title 10 or Title 50 of the United States Code, will be considered as part of its mission requirements. This issue, however, is independent and has nothing to do with the AARO’s unimpeded ability to receive all UFO-related information through authorized disclosures.”

Defense Department spokeswoman Susan Gough is a figure considered the gatekeeper of the US government when it comes to the UFO issue.

The  Liberation Times  asked if there is currently a policy, either within the DoD and/or the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), that, in fact, any UFO-related investigation will be directed and/or coordinated with Gough. A Pentagon spokeswoman responded:

“It is Department of Defense policy that all Department-level media interactions, including press inquiries, be coordinated with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. Within the Defense Press Operations office at OSD (PA), public relations specialists are assigned to portfolio areas.

Among their many duties, public relations specialists are responsible for coordinating Department of Defense responses to media inquiries about matters that fall within their portfolio area. My portfolio includes UAP (UFOs), AARO, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, as well as other issues and offices.

Responses to inquiries regarding UFO matters are coordinated with all relevant stakeholders in the Department of Defense and may include coordination with other federal agencies, depending on the nature of the inquiry.

I refer you to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence regarding their public relations policies.”

Of note, Gough’s portfolio contains the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSDI&S), to which the AARO currently reports.

Sources told the  Liberation Times  that a number of whistleblowers do not trust the AARO, which until now has been under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.

The problem may stem from AARO’s proximity to OUSDI&S, which has already come under fire for allegedly harassing whistleblowers.

Former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and UFO whistleblower,  Lue Elizondo  , previously commented:

“[OUSDI is the only office that continually lied on this issue and went after whistleblowers.”

It is important to note that the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 means that the AARO must report directly to Assistant Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and the Senior Assistant Director for National Intelligence on all operational and security matters related to HARRO.

However, there is no indication that this has been implemented yet, which means that up to now the AARO is still reporting these matters to OUSDI&S.