White House addresses New Jersey drone sightings amid public pressure and military site concerns

The White House has responded to mounting concerns about mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey, attributing most incidents to hobbyist drones, aircraft, and even misidentified celestial objects. The sightings have raised questions from lawmakers and the public, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former President Donald Trump demanding clearer answers from federal agencies investigating the matter.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby addressed the issue during a briefing, noting that the FBI has received approximately 5,000 tips regarding drone activity in recent weeks, with 100 cases flagged for further investigation. Kirby emphasized that while federal agencies are examining flagged incidents, initial assessments indicate no national security or foreign threat.

The drones, first reported over a month ago, have been spotted near sensitive sites such as Naval Weapons Station Earle, intensifying concerns about potential espionage. Despite the reassurances, skepticism remains. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former helicopter pilot, criticized the federal response, calling it contradictory. “You can’t say there’s no threat while also admitting you don’t know what they are,” she said, suggesting the use of surveillance drones to track and identify the objects.

Senator Schumer echoed these frustrations, urging federal agencies to act swiftly. “If the technology exists for drones to fly undetected, there must also be technology to track them,” he said. Schumer has introduced legislation to deploy advanced drone-detection tools across New York and New Jersey and to equip local law enforcement with monitoring capabilities.

While DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested new FAA regulations might explain the surge in sightings, calls for clearer answers persist. Federal agencies, including the Pentagon, FBI, and DHS, continue to investigate the matter. Despite ongoing efforts, lawmakers and residents remain unsatisfied, pressing for improved detection measures and greater transparency from authorities.