White House Confirms New Jersey Drone Sightings Involve Lawful Manned Aircraft Operations
According to a White House national security spokesperson, law enforcement and other agencies currently see no signs of malicious activity or intent.
WASHINGTON—On December 12, the White House aimed to ease worries regarding recent unusual drone sightings in New Jersey, claiming these incidents do not threaten U.S. national security.
“At this moment, we have no evidence indicating that the drone sightings reported pose any risks to national security or public safety, nor do they appear to have foreign connections,” stated White House national security spokesman John Kirby during a press briefing.
Kirby also noted that the reported sightings have not yet been substantiated.
“In fact, a review of the current imagery suggests that many of the sightings may actually involve manned aircraft being operated legally,” he continued.
Reports of numerous unexplained drones began on November 13 in Morris and Hunterdon counties, prompting concern amongst local residents and authorities. The sightings have since spread to over a dozen locations, including Monmouth, Ocean, and Camden counties.
Kirby mentioned that the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are still examining the sightings to ascertain their source. The U.S. Coast Guard, which is also involved in the inquiry, has found no signs of foreign involvement from coastal vessels.
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“Importantly, there have been no confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace,” Kirby reiterated.
Witness accounts described the drones as large, approximately the size of an SUV, and often flying in groups.
The anxiety surrounding these sightings was partly fueled by the drones being noticed near key locations, including the Picatinny Arsenal—a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility—and the golf course of President-elect Donald Trump in Bedminster.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy remarked on December 9 about the “very sophisticated” technology of the drones.
“Once they notice you observing them, they disappear,” he stated.
Following the press briefing at the White House, both the FBI and the DHS released a statement confirming their ongoing investigation into the situation to verify whether the reported drone activities are indeed drones or possibly manned aircraft or other erroneous sightings.
“In the past, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones turned out to be manned aircraft or misidentified facilities,” the statement explained.
With concerns mounting, lawmakers and local officials are seeking more clarity on this issue.
Booker acknowledged the importance of maintaining the operational security of ongoing investigations but urged officials to share any available information to prevent the spread of “rumors, fear, and misinformation.”
On December 12, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed his anticipation of a classified briefing regarding the drone sightings, labeling the situation as “a quandary.”
While agencies have seen no evidence of malicious intent at this time, Kirby noted that the reported sightings reveal a gap in current regulations.
He called on Congress to enact legislation that would “extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities” to better equip the government to address potential threats to airports and other crucial infrastructures.
