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After a confidential meeting with U.S. intelligence officials, lawmakers claimed they received assurances that nothing “malicious” was happening in New Jersey over the recent uptick in drone sightings.
On Tuesday, U.S. officials from the CIA, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense spoke before the House Intelligence Committee to allay growing concerns about unmanned aircraft system (UAS) sightings and new federal actions. An explanation was given to the members privately.
“There is no evidence that anyone has done anything illegal here, and as far as authorities are aware, there is no evidence that these drones are associated with anyone with malicious intent,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn. the lawmaker said. The committee spoke to reporters after the briefing.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to believe they’re withholding information. And we asked 28 people a series of very detailed questions over a three-hour period.”
‘Drone’ sightings in northeastern region sparks ‘groundless’ panic, experts say
A photo taken Dec. 8, 2024, in the Bayshore neighborhood of Toms River shows what appears to be a large drone hovering over the area at high altitude in New Jersey. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
But increasing numbers of drone sightings along the East Coast have prompted calls for panicked investigations from residents and state lawmakers. The FBI has received more than 6,000 tips from the public about mysterious drone sightings.
According to Himes, some theories can be definitively ruled out. He said the drones were not the result of a secret government operation.
“We asked this question over and over again,” he said. [linked to the U.S. government]. we felt safe. ”
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Rider told reporters that the drones seen along the East Coast are not Pentagon assets.
Rather, the prevailing theory among U.S. officials is that there is no single reason behind this phenomenon, and that many of the sightings reported to law enforcement are of legally flying planes, helicopters, or It seems to be a hobby drone.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pennsylvania, said: “There is no obvious threat from anywhere. These are just conventional aircraft, drones, stellar aircraft, private aircraft, things that are typically in our skies. ” he said.
Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who has been an outspoken critic of the Biden administration’s response to drones, said in an interview on Fox News Digital on Tuesday that a bill would allow state police to better respond to the threat of drones. He said he plans to introduce it as early as this week. This includes tracking unmanned aerial vehicles and, if necessary, bringing them down.
But Smith said Tuesday that he believes the bill is a “very real expansion of the capabilities that are currently needed” in the U.S. defense sector.
“There are additional vulnerabilities here that everyone would like to accept, but we need to take action – decisive action,” Smith said.
Congressman Chris Smith (RN.J.) reacts to mysterious drone sightings. (Getty/Fox News)
The agency will lose counter-drone authority Friday unless Congress reauthorizes the FAA. A spending bill aimed at keeping government open would include expanded powers, but security-minded lawmakers have urged state and local law enforcement to intercept and identify drones and equip them with radar detectors. We are pushing for broader reforms that will give the government the power to ability.
“We’ve got a lot of answers. Frankly, drone technology is ahead of the law,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Iruri. “We need a bipartisan effort to fill gaps in the law around who can operate drones, how they can operate, and how to disable or deal with drones in unsuitable airspace. ”
Drone sightings in New Jersey may be a ‘secret exercise’: former CIA official
On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense issued a joint statement saying they were “aware of the public’s concerns” but that the drones were “anomalous” or a threat to national security. He said there was no evidence that. .
New Jersey began receiving a flood of drone complaints last month, when witnesses and residents first began reporting sightings of drones in coastal areas. That includes off Cape May, a scenic town on the Jersey Shore about 80 miles south of Atlantic City.
In recent days, lawmakers in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland have reported new drone sightings in their home states, with some witnesses saying the aircraft in question was “about the size of a car.” ” or were seen flying over sensitive infrastructure or in restricted airspace.
New Jersey Congressman Paul Kanitra took photos of what appeared to be multiple drones hovering in the New Jersey sky on Thursday, December 13th. (Paul Kanitra/“Fox News @ Night”)
Mr Krishnamoorthi claimed he was “satisfied” with the answers he received at the press conference, but the government needs to do more to allay public concerns.
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“The public needs to see for themselves what conclusions government officials have reached and what technology is being used.”
Brianne Depiche is a political reporter for FOX News Digital, covering the 2024 election and other national news.
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