Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas downplayed the wave of drone sightings in the tri-state area and argued forcefully that the federal government can’t simply “shoot them down” amid calls to do so by some lawmakers.
Appearing on CNN Friday night, Mayorkas stressed that many people are only looking at drones that can be purchased at “convenience stores” and that most cases are “cases of mistaken identity.”
The Homeland chief insisted to CNN host Wolf Blizzter that his agency had seen no evidence of unusual activity.
“We haven’t seen anything unusual,” Mayorkas said. “We are not aware of any threat. “We believe there are cases of misidentification where “drones” are actually small aircraft – people are misidentifying them,” he said.
“Sure there may be drones in the sky, but they are commercially available. Anyone can go to a convenience store and buy a small drone,” Mayorkas claimed, “but we are not aware of any threats or nefarious activity.”
Blitzer asked Mayorkas why the Department of Homeland Security hasn’t taken the initiative to shoot down drones that break the law.
“We can’t shoot drones out of the sky,” the secretary said in frustration.
“Our officers are limited by the United States Coast Guard in the maritime environment, the United States Secret Service in protecting our national leaders, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in relation to the border,” Mayorkas said.
(TagstoTranslate)US News(T)Department of Homeland Security(T)NJ Drone Spotted
