US President-elect Donald Trump has called for the “shooting down” of mystery drones that have been appearing across various parts of the United States. These drones, which were first spotted in New Jersey, have now been reported in multiple other locations, raising concerns among residents and local authorities.
Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to express his frustration, posting a message that read: “Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT.” His post, which concluded with his personal signature, added fuel to the fire over the ongoing mystery surrounding the drones.
Despite Trump’s calls for action, both the federal government and the White House have maintained that there is no evidence linking the sightings to national security threats, nor is there any indication of foreign involvement. The issue, however, continues to be a subject of investigation, with federal agencies actively looking into the reports.
White House National Security Communications Advisor, John Kirby, addressed the press on Thursday, stating that, so far, there is no indication that the drones pose a public safety threat or involve foreign actors. “The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI are closely investigating these sightings, and we are working with state and local law enforcement to provide resources. Several detection methods are being used to better understand the origin of these sightings,” Kirby explained.
He went on to clarify that, upon reviewing available imagery, it appeared that many of the reported drone sightings might actually have been manned aircraft operating legally. The Coast Guard, he added, has provided assistance to New Jersey, confirming that no foreign vessels were involved in these incidents. Additionally, there have been no confirmed sightings of drones in any restricted airspace, which has been a key concern for authorities.
In a joint statement, the DHS and FBI reiterated that they had found no evidence that the reported drone sightings represented a national security risk or posed a public safety threat. “We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey using numerous detection methods,” the statement said. “However, our electronic detection systems have not corroborated any of the visual reports. Instead, it appears that many of these sightings are related to manned aircraft, which are being operated lawfully.”
The mysterious sightings have also prompted political leaders to raise concerns. In a letter to the DHS, FBI, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, expressed alarm over the recurring incidents of unexplained drone sightings in northern New Jersey and New York City. They highlighted the potential safety and security risks these drones pose, particularly in light of recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites both in the US and abroad.
“The potential risks posed by these drones in civilian areas are particularly concerning,” the senators wrote. “Given the recent history of drone incursions at military installations, we believe the public deserves answers.”
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In response to these concerns, Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey has also called on federal law enforcement agencies to allow state and local authorities to deploy the necessary assets to safely remove any drones that pose a danger. In his own letter to the DHS, FBI, and FAA, Gottheimer requested that they provide local law enforcement with the equipment needed to monitor and neutralise drone activity effectively.
“The amount of drone activity here in Jersey, and across the country, is too much to ignore,” Gottheimer said. “It’s time for federal agencies to brief the public and allow local authorities the tools to address this issue.”
As the investigation into the mystery drones continues, the lack of clarity regarding their origin and purpose has created a growing sense of unease, both among local residents and lawmakers. While federal officials insist that there is no immediate threat, the calls for a stronger response, including Trump’s call for shooting down the drones, signal that the issue is unlikely to fade away any time soon.
