**BOSTON** — Following weeks of anxiety and confusion over drones operating in parts of New York and New Jersey, various elected officials are calling for decisive measures to uncover and halt these enigmatic flights.
Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut and the leading member of the House Intelligence Committee, expressed his frustration during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.” He stated, “The response of ‘we don’t know’ is unacceptable.”
National security authorities have indicated that these drones do not seem to signify foreign intervention or represent a public safety hazard. Nonetheless, the inability to conclusively identify those responsible for the recent surge of drones flying over several eastern states, including New Jersey and New York, has prompted bipartisan demands for upgraded technology and expanded authority to manage the situation more effectively.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to employ advanced drone-tracking technology to determine the drones’ origins and the identities of their operators. He emphasized the public’s crucial need for information regarding these sightings, stating, “New Yorkers have many pressing questions about it, and we aim to provide answers.”
However, the federal government provided scant clarification during its media briefings on the matter. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the public’s observations, telling ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, “There’s no question that people are seeing drones. I want to reassure the American public that we are actively addressing the situation and coordinating closely with local and state authorities.”
Mayorkas noted that some of the reported drones might actually be “manned aircraft that are often confused with drones.” He added, “We are not aware of any foreign involvement in the northeastern sightings and are diligently investigating the situation.”
Federal aviation regulations implemented last year mandate that specific drones emit a remote identification signal, which includes their operators’ locations. However, it’s unclear if this information has been utilized to identify the drones that have been troubling New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office has not disclosed whether they have succeeded in identifying drones through this mechanism.
Senator Schumer has pushed for a new radio wave technology, which has recently been declassified, to be deployed in the affected areas. This technology can be attached to drones or aircraft to differentiate between birds and drones, read their electronic registration, and trace them back to their point of origin. He noted that state and local authorities currently lack the jurisdiction to monitor drone activities.
Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that federal agencies would be sending a drone detection system to support state and federal investigations. She added that further details regarding the deployment of this system would be forthcoming.
In recent weeks, there has been a notable increase in reports of mysterious nighttime drone flights over New Jersey, alarming both residents and officials. The situation became particularly concerning with sightings near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military facility, and over golf courses owned by President-elect Donald Trump. While drones are permitted for both recreational and commercial use in New Jersey, they must adhere to both local rules and Federal Aviation Administration regulations, requiring operators to be FAA-certified.
Reports indicate suspicious drone activity extending along the northern East Coast, encompassing Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Some political leaders, including Trump, have called for more aggressive measures, such as shooting down these drones.
Mayorkas confirmed that certain branches within the Department of Homeland Security have the authority to “incapacitate” drones, but stated, “We require an expansion of these powers.”
A bill currently being considered in the U.S. Senate seeks to enhance the authority of federal agencies and grant new capabilities to state and local governments to track drone activity. Additionally, it proposes a pilot program that allows local authorities to disrupt, disable, or seize drones without needing the operator’s prior consent.
Rep. Mike Waltz, a Republican from Florida and a prospective national security adviser to Trump, commented on CBS’ “Face the Nation” about the situation, stating, “The drone issue highlights deficiencies in our agencies’ authority, particularly between the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, and the Defense Department. It’s hard for Americans to grasp why we can’t determine the origins of these drones.”