TRENTON, N.J.
A series of unexplained drone sightings have been reported throughout New Jersey and the eastern United States, raising questions and concerns about their origins and purposes.
Investigations are currently underway involving the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and various state agencies. Officials affirm that there is no indication that these drones pose any national security or public safety dangers. In fact, many of the identified objects have turned out to be legal drones, manned aircraft, helicopters, or even celestial bodies like stars.
On Tuesday evening, President Joe Biden commented that there seems to be no ill intent behind these flying objects. “Numerous drones are authorized. We are monitoring this closely, and so far there’s no indication of danger,” he stated while departing the White House for a trip to Delaware.
Despite what federal officials have said, several state and local lawmakers have begun to advocate for more stringent regulations on unmanned aircraft operations and even the authority to shoot them down if deemed necessary.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut, shared that during a recent closed session, the House Intelligence Committee questioned federal law enforcement and intelligence representatives regarding these drones. The law enforcement officials told the committee that there is no evidence suggesting the drones pose any threats.
Several New Jersey residents have reported seeing drones in various regions, particularly around the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research facility, and over the golf course of President-elect Donald Trump in Bedminster, since mid-November.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy remarked on Monday that the drone-detection technology supplied by the federal government has not yielded significant findings. He described the technology as powerful enough to potentially disable drones, though he emphasized that such actions are illegal in the United States.
Governor Murphy called on Congress to grant greater authority to state governments to handle this drone situation.
In light of increasing reports, the FBI and New Jersey State Police have cautioned the public against using lasers on suspected drones. They are seeing more incidents of pilots being struck in the eyes and worry that citizens may mistakenly fire weapons at manned aircraft believing they are drones.
As fears grow among some residents regarding the drones, the Biden administration is aware of the escalating concerns. The administration has faced criticism, particularly from Trump, for not taking more decisive action.
White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby stated on Monday that no public safety or national security risks have been identified by federal officials. He noted that the Federal Aviation Administration has over one million drones registered in the U.S. and that thousands of lawful drones operate daily for various purposes, including commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement uses.
Personnel and advanced technological resources have been deployed to investigate the drone sightings in New Jersey and beyond. Kirby mentioned that authorities are assessing each report received from the public meticulously.
Of the more than 5,000 drone sightings reported to the FBI recently, around 100 were considered credible enough to warrant further investigation, as indicated by a joint statement from various federal agencies.
Speculations have arisen online, with some suggesting that the drones may be part of a covert operation involving foreign agents or possibly clandestine activities by the U.S. government. However, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that it is improbable the drones are conducting espionage due to their conspicuous nature. He reiterated that the Department of Defense is not operating these drones.
When asked about the involvement of military contractors in the New Jersey area, Ryder dismissed the possibility, asserting there are no military operations or drone experiments occurring in that region.
In recent weeks, drone activity resulted in significant disruptions, including an hour-long runway closure at Stewart International Airport in New York, a four-hour airspace closure at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, and the arrest of two individuals in Boston for flying a drone too close to Logan International Airport.
Calls for action against the drones are intensifying, with Trump asserting his belief that the government knows more than it has disclosed. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on Truth Social.
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Andy Kim countered that he has seen no evidence indicating the government is withholding information, mentioning that a significant distrust in institutions is influencing public sentiment regarding the issue. “Nothing in my experience suggests that. Yet, I understand some people may not take my word for it due to that level of distrust,” Kim expressed on Monday.
In a separate statement, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal called for measures to have the drones “shot down.”
