Department of Homeland Security head Alejandro Mayorkas continued on Sunday Reject the flood of drones Throughout New Jersey, this time it is being said that it is likely the result of relaxed regulations on devices.
Mayorkas appears to be downplaying growing concerns Number of residents, including former Governor Chris Christie – Who Recently something was reported flying over his house – and then claimed there was no evidence of foreign involvement in the aeronautical incident.
“There is no doubt that people are watching drones. And I want to assure the American public that we, across the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in responding to drone sightings,” Mayorkas told ABC News. ‘This week” said.
“Some of the drone sightings are, in fact, drones. There are some manned aircraft that are commonly confused with drones. “And we see repetitive reporting.”
But Mayorkas pointed out that in September 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration changed its policy on drones to allow flights at night.
“That may be one reason why people are seeing more drones now than before, especially from dawn to dusk,” Mayorkas said. “I want to assure the American public that we are on this.”
He had earlier claimed that the drones likely came from a “convenience store”.
New Jersey residents are particularly concerned about the sightings in Morris, Passaic, Bergen and Hunterdon counties, which have been going on since at least November 18.
Some drones are reportedly as large as SUVs – and are hovering over vital public infrastructure and flying in grid-like patterns as if mapping areas, according to local Jersey officials and residents.
Some drones have now struck highly dense Essex County – home to Newark Liberty International Airport and the mega-busy Port of Newark.
They’ve also made their way to New York and areas across the country.
Some drones also reportedly fly at heights and speeds not previously known commercially.
The lack of clarity from the federal government has led to rampant speculation about what is behind the strange, burning objects moving around in the sky, with some believing it to be some kind of super -Secret military project.
New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew It was claimed last week “Highly credible sources” with “high security access” told them that the drones could “possibly” be sent by an Iranian “mothership” off the coast.
“We are working in close coordination with state and local officials,” Mayorkas said Sunday. “And it is important, as we have all said for many years, that we need additional authorities from Congress to deal with the drone situation.”
Mayorkas said he wants more power for state and local officials to “combat drone activity under federal supervision.”
He estimated that about 8,000 drones are flown in the US every day and more than 1 million are registered.
Late last week, President-elect Donald Trump cast doubt on the notion that the federal government has no knowledge of where these drones are coming from and raised the possibility of shooting them down.
Mayorkas said that although government officials are limited in doing so in most cases, the federal government will take immediate action if drones hover near sensitive restricted airspace.
The Secretary of Homeland Security said, “We are not aware of any foreign involvement in connection with the sightings in the Northeast.” “And we are vigilant in investigating this matter.
“It is our job to remain vigilant with our state and local partners across the federal government on behalf of the American public.”
The federal government has come under bipartisan criticism for not being more upfront about the drone incident and providing more answers about what is happening.
After the interview with Mayorkas, Christie chided the DHS secretary for downplaying the incident.
“I have lived in New Jersey my entire life. This is the first time I’ve seen a drone over my house,” Christie said on the show.
Late last week, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) posted a thread detailing his own findings about the drone craze after consulting local officials and civilian pilots.
“I was able to conduct a thorough analysis with the help of civilian pilots and others and conclude that most of the potential drones seen were almost certainly aircraft,” Kim said. written on x,
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has requested to send a drone detection system to New York and New Jersey. Schumer has also floated plans to fight for legislation aimed at strengthening state and local authority on the issue.
(Tags to translate)Politics(T)US News(T)Department of Homeland Security(T)Drones(T)FAA(T)Foreign(T)NJ Drone Sightings
