Numerous mysterious drones have been spotted flying over New Jersey and across the eastern United States, raising speculation about their origin and intention.
Residents who witnessed these unidentified flying objects have raised questions about their safety and security. The situation has prompted investigations from the FBI, Homeland Security, and various state agencies, all seeking to determine whether these drones pose any real threat.
Official Assessments
So far, officials have found no evidence indicating that these drones represent a national security risk or endanger public safety. According to security reports, many of the sightings have turned out to be legal drones, manned aircraft, helicopters, or even celestial bodies like stars.
President Joe Biden reassured the public during a recent address, stating that there appears to be nothing sinister about the flying objects. He noted, “There are a lot of drones authorized. We are following this closely. So far no sense of danger.”
As the mystery deepens, experts are weighing in on the nature of these sightings. John Slaughter, Director of the UAS Research and Operations Center, explained how planes and drones differ in terms of movement, shedding light on why some residents might misidentify what they see in the sky.
Legislative responses to drone sightings
Despite reassurances from federal officials, lawmakers are not backing down from their demands for more stringent rules governing drone flights.
During a recent closed-door meeting of the House Intelligence Committee, representatives grilled federal law enforcement and intelligence officials about the growing number of drone sightings.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut reported that authorities confirmed there is still no evidence suggesting these drones pose any danger.
Witnesses across New Jersey have reported numerous sightings since mid-November. These reports include drones flying near sensitive sites such as the Picatinny Arsenal—a military research facility—and even over Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Call for federal assistance
Reacting to the mystery drone activities, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has reached out for federal assistance.
He mentioned that drone-detection equipment provided by the government has not yielded significant new information but remains powerful enough to potentially disable drones—though he noted that such actions are not legal on U.S. soil. Murphy has urged Congress to grant states more authority to manage drone operations effectively.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby reiterated that there is no evidence linking these sightings to public safety risks or national security concerns. He highlighted that over one million drones are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), creating a complex ecosystem of lawful drone activity.
Federal authorities continue to investigate reports from citizens diligently. Approximately 100 out of more than 5,000 reported sightings were deemed credible enough to warrant further examination by agencies like the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.
Speculation about drone operators
There are speculations surrounding who might be operating the mystery drones. Some residents fear they could be part of clandestine operations or foreign surveillance efforts.
However, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that it is unlikely these drones are involved in intelligence gathering due to their visibility and noise levels.
He emphasized that there are no military operations or experiments involving drones occurring in New Jersey’s airspace.
Recent drone activity has led to significant disruptions in air traffic as well. Airports like Stewart International in New York experienced temporary closures due to drone sightings nearby, while airspace around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio was also affected by similar incidents.
Former President Donald Trump expressed his belief that the government knows more than it is disclosing and urged immediate transparency regarding drone operations.