A New Jersey state senator is urging the Department of Defense to investigate recent mysterious nighttime drone sightings that have left the public frustrated with the lack of answers. State Sen. Jon Bramnick emphasized that the state police lack the necessary expertise to handle the situation and called for the Department of Defense to intervene due to their advanced monitoring technology.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew suggested that the drones may be linked to an Iranian 'mothership' off the U.S. East Coast, a claim denied by the Pentagon. Van Drew also called for the drones to be 'shot down' citing potential national security risks.
Bramnick supported Van Drew's concerns, highlighting the need for immediate Department of Defense involvement to track and identify the drones. He stressed the seriousness of the situation, expressing surprise that such large drones could operate without military awareness.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged the sophistication of the drones but expressed frustration over the lack of clarity on their origin. Despite a scheduled meeting to address the issue, the governor did not attend, prompting criticism from local officials.
The Monmouth County sheriff's office urged Governor Murphy to declare a state of emergency and issue an executive order banning nighttime recreational drone use. Rep. Chris Smith recounted an incident where a U.S. Coast Guard vessel was closely trailed by multiple drones, further raising concerns.
The FBI's Newark field office, along with state police and the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, called on the public to report any information related to the drone sightings along the Raritan River. Reports of drones and a possible fixed-wing aircraft have been received over several weeks.
