A Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) report released January 7, 2026, closes a whistleblower reprisal investigation related to the revocation of a security clearance tied to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) reporting. The investigation focused on allegations that the complainant’s classified access was revoked in retaliation for protected disclosures about UAP to the DoD OIG. While the report does not name the individual, the timeline and subject align closely with David Grusch’s publicly documented disclosures. The report confirms the complainant made four protected disclosures, but the details remain extensively redacted.
The DoD OIG determined the clearance revocation decision was not influenced by the whistleblower disclosures and would have occurred regardless. The investigation identified substantiated misconduct and a pattern of behavior that justified the adverse action independent of any whistleblower activity. It found no evidence of disparate treatment due to whistleblower status, with adjudicators following standard procedures and evaluating the complainant’s history consistent with DoD regulations. Internal communications showed confusion over the whistleblower claim and concerns over public perceptions, but these did not alter the investigative conclusion.
This report is significant in the broader context of government accountability regarding UAP investigations and whistleblower protections. It illustrates the challenges in balancing security protocols, classified information, and the rights of individuals reporting sensitive concerns. The heavy redactions and statutory exemptions highlight ongoing difficulties in transparency when national security and privacy interests intersect. The outcome also reflects established security clearance processes, including appeals, as evidenced by the complainant’s subsequent restoration of clearance and return to duty, underscoring procedural safeguards within defense institutions.
Source: The Black Vault
