US President-elect Donald Trump has called for “shooting down” mysterious drones seen in various parts of the country.
These drones were first seen in New Jersey a few days ago and are now being seen in other areas as well.
The federal government and the White House have so far said there is no national security threat and no evidence of any foreign involvement. However, the presence of the mysterious drone remains a matter of investigation.
“Mysterious drones are being seen all over the country. Could this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so,” Trump said Friday in a post on his owned social media platform Truth Social.
He added his personal signature at the end of the post, “Tell the public now. Otherwise, shoot them!!! DJT.”
The White House said Thursday there is no evidence so far that the alleged drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have any foreign connection.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters that the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources and better trace their origins. Several identification methods are being used to understand this.
He further stated that “…upon review of the available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are in fact manned aircraft being operated legitimately.” “The United States Coast Guard is providing assistance to the State of New Jersey and has confirmed that there is no evidence of any foreign-based involvement from coastal vessels. And, importantly, no drone sightings in any restricted airspace There has been no report or confirmation of the departure.” ” Kirby said.
In a joint statement, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI also said there is no evidence yet that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign connection.
“We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey with multiple detection methods, but have not confirmed any reported sightings with electronic identification. On the contrary, upon reviewing available imagery, it appears “Many of the reported sightings are in fact manned aircraft, operating legally. There have been no reports or confirmed sightings of drones in any restricted airspace,” the statement read.
In a letter to DHS, the FBI, and the Federal Aviation Administration, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim said that “Since late November, communities in the New York City area and northern New Jersey have reported There have been several incidents of drone sightings at night, alarming both residents and local law enforcement.
He highlighted that “the potential safety and security risk posed by these drones in civilian areas is particularly relevant given recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites inside and outside the continental United States last year”.
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer on Friday urged federal law enforcement agencies led by the FBI and DHS to allow state and local law enforcement to deploy assets that can safely shoot down drones that threaten “our Shouldn’t be in the sky”.
He wrote a letter to the FBI, DHS and FAA asking them to immediately inform the public.
“They also need to work closely with state and local law enforcement to give them the tools they need to monitor drone activity. There’s clearly a lot of that here in Jersey and other parts of the country,” Gottheimer said.
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