Pressure Mounts as Unexplained Drones Fly over Sensitive US Sites
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US President-elect Donald Trump has urged authorities to shoot down mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey and across the United States, as pressure mounts on federal agencies to explain the unexplained sightings.
Trump on Friday called for immediate action against unidentified drones reported in multiple states, including New Jersey, New York, and parts of Delaware and Philadelphia.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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!!! DJT.”
The remarks followed weeks of increasing reports of large, unidentified drones flying over sensitive areas, such as military facilities and critical infrastructure, raising questions about their origins and intent.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released a letter on Friday urging President Joe Biden to take control of the situation, citing “growing concern” over the unexplained drone activity.
“It has become apparent that more resources are needed to fully understand what is behind this activity,” Murphy wrote, referencing multiple drones reportedly breaching airspace at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County.
Federal agencies have downplayed the incidents, with John Kirby, White House national security spokesman, saying Thursday: “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.”
He added that analyses of images and footage indicated many sightings were “manned aircraft … being operated lawfully.”
Despite this, lawmakers remain unconvinced. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer of New York, alongside New Jersey’s Cory Booker and Andy Kim, sent a letter Thursday to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the FAA, demanding a briefing on efforts to address the drone activity.
Concerns have extended beyond New Jersey. Larry Hogan, former governor of Maryland, said on Friday that he witnessed “dozens of large drones” flying near his home for 45 minutes, calling the federal response “negligent.”
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul reiterated the government’s position that the drones do not pose a threat but assured residents that state officials are working with federal agencies to “protect New Yorkers.”
However, Vito Fossella, Staten Island’s borough president, criticized the federal response. “If you see something, say something’ has turned into ‘If you see something, don’t worry about it,’” he said at a press conference.
House Speaker Mike Johnson received a classified briefing on the issue Friday, while concerns continue to grow among politicians and residents awaiting clearer answers.
