Pete Buttigieg's dismissive remarks about New Jersey as a potential alien landing site have sparked controversy among Garden State residents and radio show hosts.
According to the Daily Mail, the Transportation Secretary drew criticism during his appearance on The Breakfast Club radio show when he suggested that aliens would be unlikely to choose New Jersey as their first contact point on Earth.
The comments came amid growing concerns over mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey and neighboring states since late November. Public anxiety has mounted as residents report multiple encounters with "SUV-sized" drones, prompting federal authorities to investigate these unexplained aerial phenomena.
During his interview with Charlamagne tha God, Buttigieg attempted to lighten the mood while addressing the serious concerns about unidentified aerial vehicles. His remarks drew immediate pushback from the show's hosts, all of whom are New Jersey residents. Co-host DJ Envy warned the former South Bend mayor to "watch your mouth" after his comments about the state.
Buttigieg elaborated on his theory about where extraterrestrial visitors might choose to land, suggesting a more remote location would be logical. He explained his reasoning by noting that an uninhabited area in the Pacific Ocean would provide better cover for alien visitors to assess their surroundings before making contact.
The Transportation Secretary's comments prompted a sharp response from show host Charlamagne tha God, who challenged Buttigieg's assumptions by asking whether aliens might have already been observing Earth for years.
The drone situation has become increasingly concerning for New Jersey authorities, with Governor Phil Murphy addressing the issue directly on News 12 New Jersey's "Ask Gov. Murphy" program. The governor acknowledged the situation as a wake-up call regarding national vulnerability to drone incursions.
The Federal Aviation Administration has taken action by implementing a temporary ban over parts of New Jersey until mid-January. The agency has warned that drones perceived as threats may be met with "deadly force" by government responders.
According to federal authorities, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense, more than 5,000 tips about drone sightings have been received from the tri-state area since November 18.
President Joe Biden has attempted to calm public fears about the drone situation, suggesting that many of the sightings might be attributed to authorized drone operations. The president's statement indicated that some of the reported incidents could be explained as copycat behavior following initial sightings.
Public reaction to the situation has been mixed, with social media users expressing both concern and skepticism about the government's response. Some have criticized Buttigieg's handling of the situation, questioning the Transportation Department's effectiveness in addressing the security concerns.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's controversial comments about New Jersey and potential alien activity came during an ongoing investigation into mysterious drone sightings that have alarmed residents across the state since November 2024. His remarks on The Breakfast Club radio show sparked immediate backlash from the show's hosts and state residents.
The federal government continues to investigate the thousands of reported drone sightings, while state officials like Governor Phil Murphy warn about the broader implications for national security. The FAA's temporary drone restrictions over parts of New Jersey will remain in effect until mid-January as authorities work to identify the source and nature of these aerial phenomena.
