7. FBI Director Sessions claimed the FBI did not conduct investigations into UFO sightings
Another document in the FBI’s released Project Blue Book file is a letter, from Director William Sessions, addressed to the unidentified correspondent from the New Project Blue Book. The letter acknowledges a telephone conversation held between the parties. Sessions also inform his correspondent that his suggestions had been the subject of discussions between the Director and several of his colleagues. Sessions then inform the representative of the New Project Blue Book that “…the investigation of UFOs is not nor has it ever been the responsibility of the FBI.” The Director suggests contacting the National Archives, where the Project Blue Book records reside. He further suggests the New Project Blue Book seek additional information from NASA, which had earlier been asked by President Jimmy Carter to conduct investigations into UFOs. The agency declined the request.
Although Director Sessions claimed in his letter the FBI did not investigate UFOs, or at least implied it by stating such investigations were outside of his area of responsibility, the released Unexplained Phenomenon files contain several other files regarding UFOs. In fact, of the nine files in the category released to date, seven regard UFO sightings and reports. Even the file regarding animal mutilations contains references to possible extraterrestrial activity reported to the authorities. According to the correspondence from the New Project Blue Book, contained in the file, some of the reports of UFO activity were made by FBI agents in the 1950s and 1960s. The FBI may never have been tasked with UFO investigations, but its agents seemed to have been at least on the periphery of them for decades. Director Sessions’ letter may be seen and read here.