US President-elect Donald Trump has called for the “shooting down” of mysterious drones spotted in several parts of the country, including New Jersey, where the sightings were first reported. The federal government says the drones do not pose a threat to national security, but the investigation is ongoing.
“Mysterious drone sightings across the country. Can this happen without the knowledge of our government? I don’t think so,” Trump wrote Friday on his social media platform Truth Social. He added, “Let the people know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them!!! DJT.”
However, the White House has assured the public that drones do not threaten national security or public safety. “There is no evidence of an alien connection, and many of the reported sightings appear to be manned aircraft operating legally,” said John Kirby, the White House’s national security communications adviser. He also said that no drones have been reported in restricted airspace.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI are leading the investigation into the sightings, using advanced detection methods and working closely with state and local law enforcement. In a joint statement, the agencies confirmed that many of the sightings were of misidentified aircraft and that none of the confirmed sightings suggested foreign involvement or violations of restricted areas.
However, local and federal lawmakers have expressed concern. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim emphasized the risks drones pose in civilian areas in a letter to DHS, the FBI, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “This is particularly worrisome given recent drone incidents at sensitive military sites,” they are reported to have written. PTI.
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer called on federal agencies to allow local law enforcement to safely remove unauthorized drones. “The public needs to be informed immediately,” he said in a letter to the FBI, DHS and FAA. “We also need better tools for state and local authorities to monitor drone activity. There are just too many sightings in New Jersey and other parts of the country.”
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to reassure the public and address potential safety concerns related to the mysterious drone.
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