Conspiracies about the mysterious spate of drone sightings have continued, fuelled by members of the Republican party, as the White House and Pentagon officials try to alleviate fears.
House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested on Wednesday that the Biden administration had brushed off concerns about the drones while providing no information as to their purpose. “This is why we need Donald J. Trump back in the White House, to bring a steady hand to the wheel and a strong commander-in-chief. He would have already had the answers,” he said during an episode of Fox and Friends.
Republican Representative Carlos Giménez of Florida told NewsNation he is most concerned that the government “hasn’t the faintest idea what’s going on with these drones” which, he claimed, “pose a threat.”
On Tuesday, Joe Biden insisted that there is “no sense of danger” surrounding drone sightings amid growing public demands for an explanation. “We’re following this closely, but so far no sense of danger,” he told reporters.
The mystery over the cluster of nightly drones that first appeared over areas of northern New Jersey in November has captivated the public and lawmakers. Some have theorized that the drones are a form of foreign surveillance, while others believe they could be searching for something.
Key Points
- Biden says there’s ‘no sense of danger’ from drones
- FBI warns public against trying to shoot down suspected drones
- White House says drone sightings are ‘lawful, legal’ activity
- Mapped: Here’s where drones have been spotted
- NJ mayor suggests drones are looking for missing radioactive material - pushing conspiracy theory about their origins
Sen. Rand Paul blocks bill that would let authorities track drones
Wednesday 18 December 2024 23:02 , Julia MustoKentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul blocked legislation Wednesday that would have expanded resources for state and local authorities to track drones over the Northeast.
Paul said the bill would give them unnecessary surveillance powers, according to The Hill.
Police, FBI investigate drones flying over a North Texas city
Wednesday 18 December 2024 22:32 , Julia Musto“We started responding to multiple reports of drones flying near city neighborhoods, federal and military properties on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 8:14 p.m,” White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook said in a post on social media.
Cook said police were working with the FBI and other agencies to investigate the aircraft.
Due to local media inquiries related to police radio traffic from last night, our team is releasing this statement:
— Christopher Cook (@cooktx) December 18, 2024
We started responding to multiple reports of drones flying near city neighborhoods, federal and military properties on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 8:14 p.m.… pic.twitter.com/SmT0hQJULE
Possible drone seen over New Jersey amid sightings across the US
Wednesday 18 December 2024 22:01 , Julia MustoNew York police drone operations under review in new report
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:29 , Julia MustoA new report from the Office of the Inspector General for the New York City Police Department has found that its policies lack transparency, with policies not fully describing its drone practices.
“Drones can be a critical public safety tool capable of enhancing NYPD operations. However, this Report found that NYPD’s Impact and Use policies do not fully and accurately describe the Department’s unmanned aircraft systems’ practices in certain respects and issued key recommendations to achieve that goal,” Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said.
“NYPD’s increase in drone usage in recent years has raised privacy concerns related to how drones are used to conduct police surveillance and monitoring,” said Inspector General Jeanene Barrett. “The recommendations in this Report call on NYPD to enhance its unmanned aircraft systems’ impact and use policy by providing additional information about the drone program and drone capabilities, thereby increasing public transparency related to NYPD’s use of this technology.”
Missouri police receive reports of mysterious lights that turn out to be holiday display
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:00 , Julia MustoMissouri’s Eureka Police Department said Tuesday that it had received several reports of mysterious lights in the sky.
Those lights, however, turned out to be a holiday display at Brookdale Farms.
Trump would have solved drone mystery by now, claims Johnson
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:31 , Julia Musto
Trump would have solved drone mystery by now, claims Johnson
New York police got 120 calls about drones last weekend
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:02 , Julia MustoPolice in New York told The New York Times that they received 120 calls about drones last weekend.
However, most of the reports were not really about the drones at all, Rebecca Weiner, the department’s head of intelligence and counterterrorism, noted.
At least one person called about the planet Venus.
Weiner added that there has not been a marked increase in the number of actual drones spotted by the police.
Some 500 drones will fly above Central Park on New Year’s Eve
Wednesday 18 December 2024 19:31 , Julia MustoAround 500 drones will fly above Central Park on New Year’s Eve, in place of the annual fireworks.
The decision was made due to drought in the region and following late-year fires in New York City.
The region has seen some relief since then and is no longer under a drought warning, but the watch remains.
The drones will project images that have to do with running, The New York Times reported. The spectacle coincides with the New York Road Runners’ Midnight Run.
Tennessee GOP congressman says drones aren’t flying over his state for this reason
Wednesday 18 December 2024 19:00 , Julia MustoTennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett said Wednesday that he believes China is tied to recent drone sightings and that the aerial vehicles don’t fly over his state because people would shoot them down.
Rep. Tim Burchett tells Benny Johnson that drones don't fly over Tennessee because people would shoot them down and claims "the Chinese are involved with this" pic.twitter.com/GrrvX8hVvy
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 18, 2024
“There’s a reason you don’t see them flying over Tennessee, at least where I live, because everyone’s got a dadgum 12-gauge, brother. And, I hear they taste a whole heck of a lot like chicken,” he told The Benny Show.
New Jersey Republican slams comments from White House spokesman on drone situation: It’s either ‘incompetence or cover-up’
Wednesday 18 December 2024 18:30 , Julia MustoNew Jersey Republican Rep. Jefferson Van Drew is blasting comments from White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby regarding the ongoing drone sightings.
“For John Kirby to stand before the American people, red-faced and sputtering excuses, and claim there is nothing out of the ordinary going on here after weeks of mounting concern is either sheer incompetence, willful ignorance, or a cover-up,” he said. “People are reporting drones, some the size of SUVs, and instead of addressing those legitimate concerns, the administration is brushing them off and treating Americans like they are delusional. It is unacceptable.
New York official calls on Biden administration to address drone concerns
Wednesday 18 December 2024 18:00 , Julia MustoWestchester County Executive George Latimer has called on President Biden to take immediate action to address “fear and concern” regarding recent drone sightings over New York.
“Residents are worried that their government is unable to identify these drones; they express trepidation over holiday travel to see and receive family, particularly from the Westchester County Airport, after Stewart International Airport in Orange County was shut down for an hour due to concerns over these drones,” Latimer wrote in a Monday letter. “Our residents are in need of more information regarding these drones.”
He also expressed his support for Sen. Chuck Schumer’s proposal to deploy advanced drone detection technology.
Monmouth County sheriff identifies current concerns about drones over New Jersey
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:45 , Julia Musto“The sum concern are the visual confirmed sights by military and first responders,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden told CBS Mornings in a clip that aired on Wednesday.
“The bigger concern over that is [that] we don’t have any identification on any of it,” he added.
GOP congressman pins drone ‘hysteria’ on White House
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:25 , Julia MustoIowa Republican Rep. Zach Nunn is pinning drone “hysteria” on the Biden administration.
“I think that there’s a real hysteria around here, but I blame that right back on the White House,” he told ABC News.
“At this point, we need resolution and, clearly, we need leadership coming out of the White House to provide real answers that are clear, that are transparent and that are responsible for folks...” Nunn, who serves as a colonel in the Air Force Reserves, said.
Mapped: All the locations of mass drone sightings in the last week
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:00 , James LiddellResidents of New Jersey were confused and worried when a group of mysterious drones began to be seen flying in the skies above the state starting late last month. Now residents in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, California and other states are experiencing the same thing.
Over the last few weeks, local, state and federal law enforcement officials in a string of states have been collecting and investigating reports of unexplained drone sightings
A cluster of drones, seemingly commercial grade, has consistently emerged over communities and even some restricted airspaces after sunset – first in northern New Jersey and now across the country.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Mapped: All the locations of mass drone sightings in the last week
House Speaker Mike Johnson on government’s response to drones: ‘People are not buying the answers'
Wednesday 18 December 2024 16:30 , Julia MustoHouse Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday that the Biden administration is not providing lawmakers with answers about the origin of drones recently spotted in the Northeast.
“Look, I’m the speaker of the House. I have the exact same frustrations that you do and all of us do. We don’t have the answers. The administration is not providing them,” Johnson told Fox News.
“They just say ‘don’t worry about it, it’s not foreign entities, there’s not a vessel offshore doing this, and they’re not collecting any data.’ OK, then what is it?” Johnson said.
“You heard Mayorkas, who no one believes, we impeached him in the House as you know, the DHS secretary, he said in an interview a couple days ago, well because they changed the regulations to allow drones to fly at night, that’s why everybody’s seeing them now. They’ve always been there. I mean, look, people are not buying the answers,” Johnson said.
Shooting drones could be dangerous, expert warns
Wednesday 18 December 2024 16:01 , James LiddellShooting down drones seen across the US could come with consequences.
“If people start shooting, things have to come down,” Jeffrey Wells, a visiting fellow at the National Security Institute at George Mason University, told The Hill.
Wells told the outlet that it was vital for the nation to address gaps between local officials and the federal government.
“Making those kind of more direct feeds to local government to inform citizens, that over your neighborhood really those are airplanes, those are helicopters, those are things that are being operated by your local utility company,” he said.
Senior official: Pentagon has been too passive in face of drones over military installations
Wednesday 18 December 2024 15:45 , Julia MustoTwo senior officials are hitting the nation’s response to the drones flying over US military installations.
One official told USA TODAY that the response from the Pentagon had been too passive.
The official said that unidentified drones should be zapped and put in a bag.
NJ mayor suggests drones are looking for missing radioactive material - pushing conspiracy theory about their origins
Wednesday 18 December 2024 15:34 , Julia Musto
NJ mayor suggests drones are looking for missing radioactive material
FAA posts updated guidance on drones - including this important fact
Wednesday 18 December 2024 15:30 , Julia MustoEver spotted moving lights in the night sky? The FAA requires all aircraft flying at night, including drones, to have certain lights. Here's what you need to know! https://t.co/5nyaIVwWUH pic.twitter.com/hN6vMHb2CX
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) December 18, 2024
Federal officials are warning residents not to shoot down drones after sightings across the Northeast.
In updated guidance, the Federal Aviation Administration noted that it’s illegal under federal law to shoot at an aircraft.
“A private citizen shooting at any aircraft – including unmanned aircraft – poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air,” the agency warned. “Shooting at an unmanned aircraft could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement.”
Mapped: Here’s where drones have been spotted in the last week
Wednesday 18 December 2024 15:22 , Julia MustoMapped: All the locations of mass drone sightings in the last week
ICYMI: FBI warns public against using lasers and trying to shoot down suspected drones
Wednesday 18 December 2024 15:00 , James LiddellLaw enforcement in New Jersey has been forced to warn local citizens against taking matters into their own hands and attempting to shoot down the unidentified flying objects and risking injury, according to ABC News, as the demand for answers continues to grow.
The FBI in Newark and New Jersey State Police warned that there has been an increase in pilots “being hit in the eyes with lasers because people on the ground think they see an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).”
“We’re also concerned people will take matters into their own hands and fire a weapon at an aircraft,” FBI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson Delgado said in a video message released on Monday.
“Not only is this act against the law, but it poses an incredible danger to the pilots and passengers on those aircraft.”
Dozens of agencies have been working to find answers and track down any operators acting “illegally or with nefarious intent”, the FBI office said.
“However, there could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as UAS.”
Massachusetts governor calls for action from Congress on drones
Wednesday 18 December 2024 14:30 , Julia Musto“I also think it’s very important for Congress to act,” Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey told Boston 25 News.
First, she said they need to change the law to allow states to investigate and prosecute illegal drone activity.
Secondly, Healey noted that her government would like to see better drone detection technology.
Connecticut Rep. Himes reacts after classified drone briefing: ‘We have no idea who owns these drones'
Wednesday 18 December 2024 14:01 , Julia MustoFollowing a classified briefing from federal officials regarding recent drone sightings on the East Coast, House Intelligence members are asking for more information.
Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the panel, explained on Tuesday that they were told any drones were not operated by the federal government and no laws were being broken by the drones.
“We have no idea who owns these drones, assuming these drones are, in fact, drones,” he told reporters, according to The Washington Times. “Again, everybody who studied this has arrived at the conclusion that most of these sightings are commercial aircraft.”
Drone flight patterns are similar to airplanes, expert explains
Wednesday 18 December 2024 13:02 , Julia MustoDennis Sinnett, the chair of Eastern Kentucky University’s School of Aviation, is speaking out about drones as reports of the aerial vehicles continue to crop up around the country.
“Depending on how close you are or how far you are from a drone, a lot of the flight patterns are very similar to airplanes,” Sinnett told LEX 18.
“They have the same type of aircraft markings, lighting that are similar to aircraft,” he said.
Defense Department sends additional resources to New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle
Wednesday 18 December 2024 12:00 , Julia MustoThe Department of Defense is sending additional resources to New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle to better enable the installations to detect, track, and monitor drone activity.
“Commanders can use the recently released counter unmanned systems strategy to craft their responses to any incursions,” the Department of Defense said in a news release.
Biden says there’s ‘no sense of danger’ from drones
Wednesday 18 December 2024 11:09 , James LiddellPresident Joe Biden insisted that there is “no sense of danger” concerning the mysterious spate of drone sightings over New Jersey and New York.
“Nothing nefarious apparently, but they’re checking it all out,” he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday amid growing public demands for an explanation. “We’re following this closely, but so far no sense of danger.”
Biden also noted the number of drones legally flying, adding: “There’s a lot of drones authorized up there. I think one started it and they all – everybody wanted to get in the deal.”
Vermont resident says drones have family on the edge
Wednesday 18 December 2024 10:00 , Julia MustoA Vermot man says reports of drones around the eastern US have his family on the edge.
“What’s it all about? It’s mindboggling,” Travis Paquet, of East Montpelier, asked WCAX.
“We were coming home and seeing multiple lights flashing in the sky that was just not normal for East Montpelier, and we don’t ever see it. It’s cool to look up there and see that stuff but if you don’t know what it is and why it’s there, it can be disheartening for sure,” he said.
Trump-backed lawmaker roasted after apparently mistaking Star Wars prop for captured drone
Wednesday 18 December 2024 09:03 , Julia Musto
Trump-backed lawmaker roasted after mistaking Star Wars prop for captured drone
Pentagon employing passive and active sensors to detect drone activity over military installations
Wednesday 18 December 2024 08:00 , Julia MustoPentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder was asked Tuesday what visual or sensor data similarities had been seen in drones over US military installations.
“I’m not going to have any information to provide in terms of sensor data, other than, again, as I highlighted earlier, we are employing a variety of both passive and active sensors in order to detect, as it pertains to DOD installations,” said Ryder. “And of course, we’re not the only ones in this business when it comes to US civil airspace.”
“I’d certainly refer you to DHS and FAA on that front,” he added.
San Diego drone sighting prompts investigation: Report
Wednesday 18 December 2024 07:05 , Julia MustoAuthorities in the Southern California city of San Diego reportedly tracked down a large drone that was flying near the downtown area early Tuesday.
Officers responded to reports of the drone as it moved between the city and the resort city of Coronado, according to KGTV.
It circled the area for at least an hour before police lost track of it.
More than 13K drones are lawfully registered in New Jersey
Wednesday 18 December 2024 06:02 , Julia MustoThere are thousands of registered drones in New Jersey.
A new tally counts 13,067 in the northeastern state, according to PIX11.
The station cited the Geographic Listing of Hobbyist & Non-hobbyist Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Registry Enrollments & Registrants.
Bethenny Frankel shares bizarre theory about mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey
Wednesday 18 December 2024 05:00 , Julia Musto
Bethenny Frankel shares bizarre theory about mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey
Licensed drone operator weighs in on drone activity in upstate New York
Wednesday 18 December 2024 04:01 , Julia MustoAlex Ramos, a licensed drone operator, said he often flies his drone on the shores of Lake Ontario, which borders New York.
“I’ve flown over Lake Ontario before,” Ramos told WHEC. “Obviously not too far out in case the drone loses battery and flies away.”
Ramos reported having issues with drones at sporting events.
“I’ve spoken to some of the people at the Red Wings, and they said they had drones falling onto their field during games,” he said.
Chuck Schumer announces legislation to help authorities with drones
Wednesday 18 December 2024 03:02 , Julia Musto
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is is introducing legislation that will help authorities respond to recent drone activity.
The New York Democrat announced Tuesday he will bring the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act to the floor to “give state and local authorities more authority and tools to track drones.”
“Drone sightings have created confusion, anxiety, and disruptions for millions in communities across the Northeast,” Schumer said, according to pressconnects.
“Local authorities can do a lot to help answer our questions, but right now they are not empowered to do so because the federal government has total jurisdiction. With thousands of local requests each year it’s important to make sure state and local agencies have the tools they need to get answers and keep communities safe.”
Lawmakers reportedly want more answers on the East Coast drones
Wednesday 18 December 2024 02:05 , Julia MustoLawmakers reportedly want more answers from the government regarding recent drone sightings around the eastern US.
“Why aren’t these things being intercepted?,” New Jersey Rep. Chris Smit said, according to NEXSTAR.
He said that while federal agencies insist there is no threat to public safety or national security.
“It’s not reassuring,” Smith said. “Tell us how you know that.”
Connecticut state police use special detection system to track drones, report says
Wednesday 18 December 2024 01:01 , Julia MustoConnecticut state police are reportedly using a special detection system to track drones as they fly over Northeast states.
The Coast Guard Station in New London uses a machine called a fixed drone detection system, and can track drones within a five-mile radius.
“I can’t speculate on any sightings that have been unconfirmed and I wouldn’t want to create any of that hysteria. Looking at videos I’ve seen on the news or that have been passed on to us, a lot of these have been matched up to manned aircraft flights or things that are naturally going to be in the sky,” Sergeant Kevin Pelkey, of the Connecticut State Police Drone Detection Division, told WFSB.
House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman claims drones are from China
Wednesday 18 December 2024 00:05 , Julia Musto.@RepMcCaul on drones: "My judgement based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People's Republic of China."
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 17, 2024
McCaul also speaks about witnessing Nancy Pelosi's fall last week. pic.twitter.com/vLmoT7DZql
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul told reporters on Tuesday that he believes that some unidentified drones over New York and New Jersey are “spy drones” from China.
It is unclear what evidence the Texas representative had to support these beliefs.
“We want answers but the response I’m getting is we don’t know whose drones these are,” McCaul said, according to The New York Post.
He spoke before a classified briefing to members of the House intelligence committee, the outlet reported.
After the briefing, lawmakers said the government had explained the drones as manned aircraft. Officials have repeated that there is no threat to national security or public safety. Drones have reportedly also been spotted around a US Air Force base in Germany.
“We need to identify who is behind these drones,” he said. “My judgment based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China.”
If drones aren’t a threat, then why did Congress receive a classified briefing?
Tuesday 17 December 2024 23:01 , Julia MustoIf drones aren’t a threat, then why did Congress receive a classified briefing? That’s one question Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder was asked on Tuesday.
“I’d have to refer you to Congress on that,” he replied.
“I can assure you ... that again we are sharing as much information as we can based on what we know.”
After Ryder’s remarks, one lawmaker that attended a classified House Intelligence Committee briefing on the matter told reporters that officials said the drones were manned aircraft.
Dem IL Rep Krishnamoorthi after drone briefing: Basically the government officials said that that was explained as manned aircraft. It's consistent with their statement. What I say is that they have to be very forthcoming in explaining how the data shows that it's manned aircraft…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 17, 2024
DC lawmakers frustrated as officials reject drone conspiracies – but provide no real answers
Tuesday 17 December 2024 22:01 , Julia MustoDC lawmakers frustrated as officials provide no clear answers on drone sightings
Illinois Democratic Rep. Krishnamoorthi says technology of drones has outpaced the law
Tuesday 17 December 2024 21:30 , Julia MustoDem IL Rep Krishnamoorthi after drone briefing: Basically the government officials said that that was explained as manned aircraft. It's consistent with their statement. What I say is that they have to be very forthcoming in explaining how the data shows that it's manned aircraft…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 17, 2024
Dem IL Rep Krishnamoorthi drone briefing: The technology of drones has outpaced the law. I think that's kind of the bottom line conclusion for myself. We have to work in a bipartisan manner to plug some holes within the law, both in terms of who is allowed to operate drones, and…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 17, 2024
KRISHNAMOORTHI coming out of the drone briefing today says he’s not satisfied with all the answers he’s been provided but says that the pic is getting filled in for him a Bit more. Says a key takeaway for him is that drone tech has outpaced existing law.
— Leo Briceno (@_LeoBriceno) December 17, 2024
House Intelligence Committee member says he wasn’t told anything that isn’t public knowledge
Tuesday 17 December 2024 21:15 , Julia MustoFollowing a classified briefing, House Intelligence Committee member and California Representative Jimmy Gomez reportedly said that the public needs to have faith that the government and its agencies are on top of the current drone situation.
When asked if he was told anything that isn’t public knowledge, he said: “Off the top of my head, no.”
On DRONE BRIEFING —
— Jay O'Brien (@jayobtv) December 17, 2024
Asked House Intelligence Cmte member @RepJimmyGomez if he was told anything that isn’t public knowledge.
“Off the top of my head, no.”
“I think that what the public needs to have faith that you that the federal government, as well as these agencies are on…
Pentagon does not see a ‘connection at this point’ between NJ and Air Force base drone activity
Tuesday 17 December 2024 21:00 , Julia MustoPentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder told reporters on Tuesday that authorities did not see a “connection” at this point between drone activity in New Jersey and those spotted at Air Force bases.
Pentagon says authorities have to assess any drones approaching military bases on a ‘case by case basis'
Tuesday 17 December 2024 20:45 , Julia MustoPentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder discussed the East Coast drones in a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.
“Similar to vehicles that may inadvertently approach a base, the same came be true for drones. As to what constitutes a threat, that obviously has to be assessed on a case by case basis, depending on what the drone is doing [and] where it’s going,” he told reporters, speaking about drones that approach military installations.
In the US, the authority the military has to detect and track “these kinds of things” is much different than in a combat zone outside the country, noted Ryder.
“For very good reasons, We don’t collect intelligence on American citizens,” he added.
Ryder also responded to concern from the general public.
“I think that in the way that you now have this modern technology and the ability, you could go out of here right after this briefing and go and buy a drone and you could fly it around your neighborhood,” he said.
“And, as long as you’re flying it appropriately and not in restricted airspace, there’s nothing illegal about flying that drone.”
Pentagon says drones are not Department of Defense assets
Tuesday 17 December 2024 20:23 , Julia MustoPentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder stated Tuesday that none of the drones recently sighted around the eastern US are Department of Defense assets.
“Yes, they are not DOD assets,” he said.
To his knowledge, Ryder said there are no experimental programs underway that are testing drones.
“There’s over a million drones registered in the United States and, on any given day, approximately 8,500 drones are in flight,” he added.
Ryder said it was “entirely possible” some of the drones could be up to maligned activity.
“But the vast majority: that is not the case,” he said.
Drones flying over military installations are not new, Ryder noted.
Pentagon says it will continue to take drone situation ‘very seriously’
Tuesday 17 December 2024 20:11 , Julia MustoPentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder reacted Tuesday to concerns regarding the recent drone sightings across the eastern US.
“Completely understand the concerns, completely will reinforce we’re taking it seriously,” he told reporters at an afternoon news briefing.
Ryder said that there is the potential that Americans are just more aware of the drones.
“Again, we’ll continue to take this very seriously,” he said.
Ryder repeated that no drone sightings were assessed as anomalous or were assessed as a public safety or national security risk.
The classified House Intelligence Committee briefing on drones is underway
Tuesday 17 December 2024 20:02 , Julia MustoHouse classified briefing on drones underway. Also National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan here for a briefing on Afghanistan
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 17, 2024
The Pentagon is holding a separate and simultaneous briefing right now.
LIVE: @PentagonPresSec Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder holds a news briefing at the Pentagon. https://t.co/jEgaBTsvfp
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) December 17, 2024
Trump-backed Republican says post about drones with Star Wars meme was on purpose
Tuesday 17 December 2024 19:37 , Julia Musto
Pennsylvania Republican Doug Mastriano has been facing some heat after posting a picture of what appears to be a Star Wars prop instead of one of the mysterious drones that are flying around the East Coast this month.
Now, he says sharing the meme was on purpose.
“I posted a statement about the drones and used an obvious Star Wars prop as a meme,” he said. “The Philadelphia Inquirer just called asking if I knew it was a prop. Hilarious. Modern day ‘journalism.’”
The newspaper reported that statement and that Mastriano said the “extreme left” needed a sense of humor.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace has theories about the recent drone sightings: Outer space ‘has to be on the table'
Tuesday 17 December 2024 18:43 , Julia MustoSouth Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace said Monday that the public should not rule out “outer space” as a possible origin of drones flying around the East Coast.
“My concern is, if it’s not craft from outer space — because I think that has to be on the table,” the congresswoman told Outkick. “That has to be an option — is it our technology? Or is it Russia or Iran or China? Is there someone who’s winning the arms race, and are we behind?”
“Because my question is about national security, and I hope that it’s us,” she continued. “I hope that it’s not our adversaries or something from outside the universe, because I have real concerns that, like, if these drones are from Iran or China, like some of the rumors have been, I pray that they’re ours, but we should also know why they’re out there. Like, are they looking for radiation? Are they looking for a missing nuclear warhead?”
Nancy Mace says she is concerned that the drone sightings off NJ is either aliens from another planet or Russia/Iran/China searching for a missing nuclear warhead. pic.twitter.com/Uf6GiEm84v
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 17, 2024
Florida senator swipes at Biden administration after agencies address mystery flights
Tuesday 17 December 2024 18:15 , Julia MustoFlorida Senator Rick Scott took a shot at the Biden administration on Tuesday after the FBI, FAA, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security said recent drone sightings were lawful and did not “present a national security or public safety risk” along the East Coast.
“The American people don’t trust the federal government because the Biden admin has lied again and again about Communist China,” Scott alleged.
“They lied about the Chinese spy balloons. Who’s to say they are telling the truth about these drones?!”
A former senior US official said that before the balloon was seen publicly, there was “the intention to study it and let it pass over and not ever tell anyone about it,” according to an NBC News report.
It is unclear if that is what Scott, who has criticized the president’s relationship with China, was referring to.
The American people don’t trust the federal government because the Biden admin has lied again and again about Communist China.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 17, 2024
They lied about the Chinese spy balloons. Who’s to say they are telling the truth about these drones?! pic.twitter.com/gSJDaCUJtf
Tennessee lawmaker pushes for protection of US airspace in letter to defense secretary
Tuesday 17 December 2024 17:48 , Julia MustoTennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn is pushing for the protection of the nation’s airspace in a letter to the Department of Defense.
Writing to Secretary Lloyd Austin, she asked questions about the department’s involvement, calling for answers by the end of the month.
While Biden administration officials have assured that the drones are lawful and legal, Blackburn stressed that sightings indicate “a significant and evolving risk.”
“The drone sightings across the East Coast should be viewed within this context as part of an ongoing, multidimensional threat to our national security. I strongly urge the Department of Defense to take all necessary steps – up to and including military action – to ensure the protection of our airspace and the security of the American people,” she said.
Sen. Gillibrand says she is not satisfied by the Biden administration’s reassurances that drones are operating legally
Tuesday 17 December 2024 17:15 , Julia Musto“I don’t know if it’s safe or not safe because we don’t have full domain awareness,” New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand told CNN on Tuesday.
“When they are located for two straight weeks over Langley, that is definitely not enthusiasts,” she said. “That is definitely not without risk or without a national security concern.”
Langley is the area of the headquarters for the CIA.
"I don't know if it's safe or not safe because we don't have full domain awareness."@SenGillibrand says she is not satisfied by the Biden administration's reassurances that the mysterious drones are commercial, hobbyist or law enforcement drones operating legally. She says… pic.twitter.com/G2NQ6Swf1u
— Pamela Brown (@PamelaBrownCNN) December 17, 2024
White House spokesperson says drone sightings are ‘lawful, legal’ activity
Tuesday 17 December 2024 17:00 , Julia Musto“Sometimes the answer is to find a way to down a drone and sometimes the answer is to not. And, a lot of it depends on the capability that the base commander has available to him or to her. But, they have the authorities that they need,” White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told Fox News Channel’s America’s Newsroom on Tuesday.
“The sense that you have to shoot everything down just when you see it, even if you do believe that there’s a malicious intent doesn’t comport with actually reality,” he continued.
Kirby said that the government has a “good sense” on what’s happening, agreeing with President-elect Donald Trump’s assessment on Monday.
“This is lawful, legal aviation activity,” he said, “manned and unmanned drones, civil aviation. We’ve seen nothing that leads us to a different conclusion.”
Venus may be fueling drone hysteria
Tuesday 17 December 2024 16:30 , Julia MustoA blurry video of a bright orb in the night sky fueled social media speculation on Monday.
The clip has more than 913,000 views on the platform X.
“We’re looking at the moon right now and that’s nowhere near the moon,” ABC 7’s Toni Yates said in the video.
Atmospheric scientist Matthew Cappucci and former congressman Adam Kinzinger both posted to respond to the report.
“It’s literally Venus,” Kinzinger said.
“Folks at home – you’ll see Venus shine brightly (-4.13 magnitude, which is makes it the second-brightest celestial object in the night sky) after sunset over the coming nights. Then Jupiter, near opposition, next to the moon,” Cappucci replied.
NASA said that Venus, the second planet from the sun, would be hard to miss in the southwest after sunset this month.
New Jersey congresswoman releases drone plan of action
Tuesday 17 December 2024 16:00 , Julia MustoNew Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill has released a plan to locate and track drones flying over her state.
It would also increase information available to local law enforcement authorities, and improve communications with residents.
“I’m incredibly frustrated with the lack of coordination and communication from agencies as New Jerseyans continue to watch unidentified drones fly across our skies, Sherrill said in a press release.
“That’s why, after writing to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and consulting with local leaders and subject matter experts, I am releasing a plan of action that will help meet these goals,” she continued. “I urge federal, state, and local leadership to use this plan in order to enact an effective, whole-of-government response to protect our state and better communicate information with the public and local authorities.”
Sherill’s plan comes amid division in the party over the Biden administration’s response to the drones.
“It’s all about information and briefings, which has been my complete frustration,” New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer said, according to The Hill. “I’ve asked the FBI and DHS to actually do a proper public briefing.”
New Jersey mayor says ‘something’s going on’ with drones
Tuesday 17 December 2024 15:30 , Joe SommerladWashington Township Mayor Matthew Murello has told Good Morning America that “something’s going on” with the drones spotted in his state.
“I’m not trying to stir anything up, but we all know – if you just turn on the television – that drones can be used in an aggressive fashion,” Murello said.
“They can carry payloads. They can be used for all kinds of really aggressive-type things.”
Murello expressed frustration at federal officials for not revealing more information.
“Nobody knows what these things are doing,” he said.
“Best case scenario, they’re just getting video of us. Again, I don’t know why out here. We’re nothing but farm country. If you want videos of cows, I’ll be happy to send you some.”
Mayor Matthew Murello of Washington Township in New Jersey is expressing his concerns over drone sightings.
— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 14, 2024
"We just need someone to tell us and reassure us as mayors so we can tell our constituents everything’s okay."https://t.co/QgAX7wRgUQ pic.twitter.com/nsHkzgWsnM
Trump called out for ‘fat-shaming’ Chris Christie with AI drone meme
Tuesday 17 December 2024 15:00 , Joe SommerladOf all the bizarre theories the drones have inspired so far, the cruellest is surely Donald Trump‘s Truth Social meme suggesting they are delivering large quantities of McDonald’s to the ex-New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
In addition to being deeply unkind and childish, the president-elect’s trolling is also hypocritical: he himself is no stranger to junk food and even worked in a branch of McDonald’s in Pennsylvania on the campaign trail this year.
James Liddell has more.
Trump called out for AI image of Christie eating McDonald’s surrounded by drones
A government psyop or a foreign military threat? Drones send conspiracy theories flying across internet
Tuesday 17 December 2024 14:30 , Joe SommerladBenny Johnson is by no means the only person entertaining unhinged reactions to the drones.
Their appearance has prompted a litany of conspiracy theories to fly across the internet, with people variously suggesting they could be part of a government psychological operation, aliens or a foreign military threat.
Gustaf Kilander takes a closer look.
A government psyop and a foreign military threat: The conspiracies behind the drones
Are fake aliens flying over New Jersey to ‘steal Trump’s swagger?’ One MAGA podcaster is worried
Tuesday 17 December 2024 14:00 , Joe SommerladRight-wing podcaster Benny Johnson has reacted to the mysterious drones appearing over the East Coast in recent weeks by asking if they were part of a “fake alien invasion” being staged to “steal Trump’s swagger” ahead of his inaugration as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.
Justin Baragona reports.
Are fake aliens flying over NJ to ‘steal Trump’s swagger?’ MAGA podcaster is worried
Two arrested over Boston airport drone incident while Ohio military base forced to shut airspace
Tuesday 17 December 2024 13:30 , Joe SommerladTwo men have been arrested for operating a drone “dangerously close” to a Boston airport while a critical Ohio Air Force base was forced to shut its airspace as investigations continue into reports of hundreds of flying objects sighted over the US.
Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, both of Massachusetts, were arrested and charged with trespassing on Saturday evening after their unmanned aircraft system was detected above Logan International Airport, according to the Boston Police Department.
James Liddell has more.
Two arrested for Boston airport drone incident as Ohio military base shuts airspace
Trump makes New Jersey drone sighting plea to White House: ‘Something strange is going on’
Tuesday 17 December 2024 13:00 , Joe SommerladThis is what the president-elect had to say about the matter during his wide-ranging press conference at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida yesterday.
Trump makes drone sighting plea as he claims ‘something strange is going on’
How to tell the difference between a drone, a plane and a UFO
Tuesday 17 December 2024 12:30 , Joe SommerladHere’s a timely guide for those worrying themselves needlessly about lights in the night sky.
How to tell the difference between a drone, a plane and a UFO
New Jersey Governor posts update on FBI meeting
Tuesday 17 December 2024 12:00 , Joe SommerladHere’s the latest from Phil Murphy:
Received a briefing tonight from @FBINewark Special Agent in Charge Nelson Delgado and his team at @NWSEarleNJ in Colts Neck to discuss the @FBI’s investigation into recent drone sightings.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 16, 2024
We are ready to assist the federal government in getting to the bottom of this. pic.twitter.com/HSyLS0QsmA
Mapped: All the locations of mass drone sightings in the last week
Tuesday 17 December 2024 11:30 , Joe SommerladHere’s Ariana Baio with an interesting map of every location in which the drones have been spotted within the last week, with some reporting them further afield in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, California and Texas in recent days.
Mapped: All the locations of mass drone sightings in the last week
Joe Rogan says he’s ‘genuinely concerned’ by expert’s social media video on drones
Tuesday 17 December 2024 11:00 , Joe SommerladThe influential bro podcaster now says he is “genuinely concerned” about the drone sightings after watching a TikTok video from John Ferguson, the CEO of Saxon Unmanned, which also alarmed the easily-alarmed Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, in which Ferguson speculates the drones could be scouting the interstates in search of a gas leak or “radioactive material”.
Rogan wrote in response to the clip: “This is the first video about these drones that has got me genuinely concerned.”
This is the first video about these drones that has got me genuinely concerned. https://t.co/yzRoie2lUn
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) December 15, 2024
He was previously more relaxed about it all, despite pronouncing this explanation from White House official John Kirby “sus”.
I want to believe it’s adderalled up incels holed up in a basement fucking with “the man” more than I want it to be aliens. #iwanttobelieve
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) December 13, 2024
House Intelligence Committee to receive classified briefing on Tuesday
Tuesday 17 December 2024 10:30 , Joe SommerladMembers of the the House Intelligence Committee are expected to receive a classified briefing on the mystery, CNN reports.
Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the committee, told Fox News over the weekend he is frustrated with the current lack of information.
“There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said.
“The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.”
“It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They aren’t Martians.”
Here’s John Bowden with more on Hines’s exasperation.
Mystery drones are not foreign – or alien – says intel panel member
Public warned against trying to shoot down suspected drones
Tuesday 17 December 2024 10:00 , Joe SommerladLaw enforcement in New Jersey has been forced to warn local citizens against taking matters into their own hands and attempting to shoot down the unidentified flying objects and risking injury, according to ABC News, as the demand for answers continues to grow.
The FBI in Newark and New Jersey State Police warned on Monday that there has been an increase in pilots “being hit in the eyes with lasers because people on the ground think they see an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).”
“We’re also concerned people will take matters into their own hands and fire a weapon at an aircraft,” FBI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson Delgado said in a video message released on Monday.
“Not only is this act against the law, but it poses an incredible danger to the pilots and passengers on those aircraft.”
Dozens of agencies have been working to find answers and track down any operators acting “illegally or with nefarious intent”, the FBI office said.
“However, there could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as UAS.”
— FBI Newark (@FBINewark) December 16, 2024
Federal agencies speak out on mystery lights over New Jersey and New York
Tuesday 17 December 2024 09:30 , Joe SommerladGood morning!
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) have released the following joint statement seeking to downplay the drones, which is presented here in its entirety:
“There are more than one million drones lawfully registered with the FAA in the United States and there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones lawfully in the sky on any given day. With the technology landscape evolving, we expect that number to increase over time.
“FBI has received tips of more than 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last few weeks with approximately 100 leads generated, and the federal government is supporting state and local officials in investigating these reports. Consistent with each of our unique missions and authorities, we are quickly working to prioritize and follow these leads. We have sent advanced detection technology to the region. And we have sent trained visual observers.
“Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast.
“That said, we recognize the concern among many communities. We continue to support state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and support of law enforcement. We urge Congress to enact counter-UAS legislation when it reconvenes that would extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to identify and mitigate any threat that may emerge.
“Additionally, there have been a limited number of visual sightings of drones over military facilities in New Jersey and elsewhere, including within restricted air space. Such sightings near or over DoD installations are not new. DoD takes unauthorized access over its airspace seriously and coordinates closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, as appropriate. Local commanders are actively engaged to ensure there are appropriate detection and mitigation measures in place.”
ICYMI: Many drone spottings could be cases of ‘mistaken identity,’ officials say
Tuesday 17 December 2024 09:30 , Katie HawkinsonSome of the drone spottings across several states in the US could be cases of “mistaken identity,” with residents unknowingly reporting legally-operated small aircraft, DHS and FBI officials have said.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also said some drones could be commercial.
The FBI has received some 5,000 tips regarding drone activity, but fewer than 100 were “deemed worthy of further investigative activity.” an agency spokesperson said over the weekend.
Minnesota Senator calls for greater transparency from feds over drone sightings
Tuesday 17 December 2024 08:45 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Senator Amy Klobuchar called for increased transparency from federal officials on the mystery drone sightings across several states.
“One, we need a briefing for the members of the Senate to figure out what’s going on here,” Klobuchar told CBS News. “Two, we need more transparency.”
Members of the House Intelligence Committee are set to receive a classified briefing on the drones Tuesday, CNN reports.
Watch: DHS Secretary Mayorkas addresses drone sightings over New Jersey
Tuesday 17 December 2024 08:00 , Katie HawkinsonMarjorie Taylor Greene claims Biden admin is ‘in control of drones’ as MAGAworld pushes wild theories about mystery sightings
Tuesday 17 December 2024 07:15 , Joe SommerladMAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that the US government is “in control of the drones” that have been spotted over New Jersey and New York in recent weeks, which officials have so far been unable or unwilling to account for.
Greene, who is well known for amplifying online conspiracy theories, wrote on X late on Saturday night: “The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad.”
The congresswoman offered no evidence to support her claim but followed up with a second post, which went viral when it was shared by podcaster Joe Rogan, featuring a video from drone manufacturer John Ferguson.
Read more:
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Biden administration is ‘in control’ of mystery drones
Video: Mysterious drone cluster lights up night sky in New Jersey
Tuesday 17 December 2024 06:30 , Katie HawkinsonICYMI: House Intelligence members expected to receive briefing Tuesday
Tuesday 17 December 2024 05:45 , Katie HawkinsonMembers of the House Intelligence Committee will receive a classified briefing Tuesday on the mysterious drone spottings, CNN reports.
Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the committee, told Fox News over the weekend he’s frustrated with the current lack of information.
“There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.”
“It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They aren’t Martians,” he added.
