Mysterious drones were spotted flying over New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other states on the east coast of the US, outraging local residents and officials seeking answers to questions about the nature and origin of the flying objects, some of which were seen near military installations. The investigation is being led by the FBI, which has already received thousands of reports, with the participation of local police, on Friday, the 13th of December, reports CBS News.
Authorities in the US have said that while risks remain, the recent drone sightings do not pose a security threat and authorities are reportedly cooperating, but nothing concrete is being reported or done.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who has also proposed raising the issue with the White House, called in a letter to President Biden for federal resources to identify the source of the drones and address public concerns, noting that the drones “have raised more questions than answers and have led to the spread of conspiracy theories on social media”.
He assured that “there is no known threat to public safety” but acknowledged that the lack of answers is “concerning”.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has also stated that there is no evidence that drones pose a threat, but that authorities are working with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies.
The New York State Police said it had received several reports of drones being spotted. Earlier this week, an FBI official told Congress that the FBI had received more than 3 000 citizen reports of drones being spotted, mostly at night.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that “we have not been able to confirm any of the reported sightings” and that many of the drones are being piloted legally.
Also, the FBI and DHS said in a joint statement that “many of the reported sightings appear to be legally piloted aircraft”.
But on Friday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested officials shoot down the drones.
“Mysterious drones are being spotted all over the country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Inform the public, and now. Otherwise shoot them down!!! DJT,” Trump wrote on “Truth Social”
On Wednesday, Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker and Andy Kim demanded that DHS, the FBI and the FAA provide information on how they are working to determine the source of the drones.
Gillibrand said on Thursday, “If they need the authority to shoot down these drones, they should request it, but I think they can shoot them down because they don’t know who is piloting them.” She suggested using traps or nets to disable drones without endangering people, adding that authorities should track drones to see where they land.
On Thursday, Senator Kim shared his experience of seeing drones over New Jersey, describing lights moving low over a tree line, some of which flashed red and green, performing manoeuvres that planes cannot. Often about 5-7 lights were seen at a time, some apparently moving in small groups of 2-4.
Local police have reported seeing drones every night and residents report seeing them over their homes, especially in the mountains. Police officers have tried to fly closer with a helicopter, but as they get closer the drones turn off their lights and disappear.
Kim criticised the lack of communication from the FBI and DHS, saying that New Jersey residents need more information so they can understand what is going on.
The FAA announced on Thursday that it has issued two temporary flight restrictions at the request of federal partners, banning drone flights over the Picatinny Arsenal military base and Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
The Pentagon has clarified that drones are not aircraft of foreign adversaries or military forces.
Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that after assessing that the drones do not pose a threat to military facilities, the Pentagon is tasking local law enforcement agencies and the FBI to investigate the origin and nature of the drones. Singh also refuted the claim that the drones were launched by an Iranian “mother ship” off the US east coast.
Some lawmakers have called for the drones to be shot down for analysis, while others have raised concerns about debris falling that would endanger populated areas.
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Singh said base commanders can shoot down drones if they pose a threat to military installations, but there have been none.
The US Northern Command has also not received any requests for assistance from local law enforcement authorities but has continued to monitor the situation. They have also been informed of unauthorised drone flights near military installations such as Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle.
This drone mystery is not one-of-a-kind incident.
One of the most notable cases was in December 2023, when Langley Air Force Base in Virginia reported several drone strikes of varying sizes and configurations.
In congressional testimony earlier this year, General Gregory Guillot, head of US Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, said: “Drones, of course, pose an increasing threat. On average, NORTHCOM [area of responsibility] is reported to detect two to five drones per week over installations, military sites”.