Key lawmakers are pressing federal agencies for immediate answers about ongoing drone sightings over New Jersey and New York, even as the White House downplays potential national security or public safety threats.
The sightings, which include reports of drones flying in formation and up to six feet in diameter, have alarmed residents and sparked calls for transparency.
READ: New Jersey Lawmaker Slams White House Spokesman Over Drone Swarms In Garden State
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Thursday that he expects to receive a classified briefing on the issue soon. “It’s a quandary,” Johnson remarked. “I’m anxious to find out more.”
In a joint letter to top federal law enforcement officials, Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) demanded an urgent briefing from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker.
“The potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites,” the senators wrote. “Protecting civilian infrastructure, safety, and privacy as well as military assets and personnel will require a comprehensive response from Congress and the executive branch.”
READ: Mystery Drones Haunt New Jersey Skies
During a Thursday press briefing, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have found no evidence to corroborate the sightings as drones. Instead, officials concluded the objects were “manned aircraft being operated lawfully” and uncovered no evidence of malicious activity or foreign connections.
Despite federal assurances, lawmakers and residents remain unsettled. Many have shared videos of the drones on social media, with some clips garnering tens of thousands of views. Reports describe the drones as commercial-grade devices, not the smaller types used by hobbyists.
In a Fox News appearance, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) claimed the drones originated from an Iranian “mothership” off the East Coast, sparking further alarm. However, the Pentagon swiftly refuted his remarks, stating, “There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there’s no so-called mothership launching drones toward the United States.”
READ: California Man Arrested for Allegedly Spying On Vandenberg Space Force Base With Drone
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), a member of the Intelligence Committee, has called for federal agencies to share more information with the public. “Based on briefings I received from the FBI, Homeland Security Department, and Governor Murphy, I don’t think there are any immediate threats to public safety,” Gottheimer said. “But the public deserves to know more.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and DHS officials held a briefing for local leaders on Wednesday, where they noted that state police would soon receive new drone-tracking technology. However, lawmakers, including Assemblyman Brian Bergen, have criticized the delays in deploying these tools.
The incidents have drawn comparisons to the February 2023 Chinese spy balloon controversy, where a surveillance balloon traversed the U.S. before being shot down.
READ: Mystery Drones Swarm US Skies: New Jersey Congressman Claims Iranian “Mothership” Involved
Intelligence Committee member Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) cautioned against holding public hearings on the matter, noting that adversaries could glean valuable information. “We don’t want our adversaries watching our open hearings, looking for context clues,” Carson said.
While federal agencies have not announced an all-member House briefing, Senate staffers received updates on Thursday, and additional briefings for individual lawmakers are expected. Lawmakers from both parties are urging swift action to identify the sources of these sightings and ensure public safety, privacy, and national security are not compromised.
As the investigation continues, the public and their representatives await clarity on the mysterious drones that have captured national attention.
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