A series of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey's skies has prompted a response from White House national security officials.
According to Fox News, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby announced that many of the reported drone sightings in New Jersey are actually lawfully operated manned aircraft, with no evidence suggesting any national security threats or foreign involvement.
The Department of Homeland Security and FBI are actively investigating these sightings in collaboration with state and local law enforcement, utilizing sophisticated electronic detection technologies to understand their origin. Despite widespread public concern, federal authorities have been unable to corroborate any of the reported visual sightings through their detection methods.
Brian Harrell, who served as DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection during the Trump administration, criticized the government's handling of the situation. He emphasized the need to build trust with the American public and suggested that while additional authorities may be needed, existing tools and radar capabilities should be sufficient to identify these aircraft.
The joint statement from Homeland Security and FBI reinforced their commitment to investigating the situation thoroughly. They noted that historically, there have been cases of mistaken identity where reported drones turned out to be manned aircraft or facilities.
Kirby addressed Congress directly during the briefing, urging lawmakers to expand existing counter drone authorities. He emphasized the importance of providing state and local authorities with the necessary tools to respond to potential threats.
Democratic New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has maintained that these reported drones do not pose a threat to public safety. However, state and municipal lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations on unmanned aircraft operations.
The sightings have occurred across various locations in New Jersey, including areas near the Raritan River, Round Valley Reservoir, and Picatinny Arsenal. Rep. Chris Smith reported that a Coast Guard commanding officer witnessed a dozen drones following a Coast Guard lifeboat near Barnegat Light.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby stated:
We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they're working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin.
FBI Assistant Director Robert Wheeler testified during a congressional hearing that the bureau has not identified those responsible for the drone sightings. This admission has led to increased pressure from lawmakers for more decisive action.
Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed frustration with the administration's response to the situation. The Connecticut Democrat called for urgent intelligence analysis and more aggressive action against these aircraft, particularly those flying near airports or military bases.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst officials revealed they lack Department of Defense permission to shoot down unknown aircraft trailing their boats. This limitation has prompted Rep. Smith to request authorization from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The mysterious aircraft sightings across New Jersey have drawn attention from multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, DHS, and Coast Guard. While White House officials maintain these are primarily lawful manned aircraft, the investigation continues with support from various law enforcement agencies. Local and federal authorities continue their collaborative efforts to investigate these sightings while Congress considers expanding counter-drone authorities to address potential future incidents.
