Mysterious drone sightings have been reported across New Jersey and other northeastern states since mid-November 2024, causing concern among residents and prompting investigations by authorities. Here's a look at what is known and what lawmakers are saying.
The Details: The initial drone sightings occurred in New Jersey on Nov. 18 and reports have spread to New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and other states in the Northeastern United States. The drones are typically seen late at night and have been reported as flying in groups and illuminating the sky.
Drones have been spotted near sensitive locations like Picatinny Arsenal, Round Valley Reservoir and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course.
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The Investigation: The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and state agencies are investigating the sightings and the FAA has issued temporary flight restrictions in several New Jersey areas effective until Jan. 17, 2025.
Last Friday, the FBI and DHS issued a joint statement on the reports of drones in New Jersey.
"We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings," the statement reads.
President Joe Biden briefly addressed questions about the drones as he left the White House on Tuesday night.
"There are a lot of drones authorized. We are following this closely. So far no sense of danger," Biden told reporters, as reported by the Associated Press.
Lawmakers Speak Out: Many lawmakers have criticized the Biden administration's response to the drone sightings as lax and irresponsible. Trump even took to social media on Sunday with claims that the government is purposefully concealing information about the drones.
“Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government's knowledge. I don't think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
On Saturday, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York released a statement calling on the Biden administration to send federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding area to ensure safety. Runways at an airfield in New Windsor, NY were shut down on Friday because of drone activity in the area.
"This has gone too far," she said in the statement which also called on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act.
Additionally, the House Intelligence Committee spoke with federal law enforcement and intelligence officials about the drones during a closed-door meeting Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut told CNN.
Authorities told the committee that there is no evidence that the drones are posing dangers, Himes said.
What Else: Reports of drone sightings continue to pour in from the Northeast and investigations remain ongoing. Some public companies that could potentially get involved in situations related to drones include Palantir Technologies, Inc. PLTR which has recently made significant strides in drone technology and works with the U.S. Department of Defense on several military contracts.
RTX Corp. RTX, another military contractor, developed the Coyote kinetic effector, a missile variant designed for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) missions.
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