The Biden-Harris administration addressed [1] public concerns about drone sightings in New Jersey, suggesting that many of the reported incidents may involve manned aircraft rather than unmanned drones.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby discussed the issue during a briefing on Thursday, aiming to quell growing frustration over the lack of clear answers from federal authorities.
“We have not been able to, and neither have state and local law enforcement authorities, been able to corroborate any of the reported visual sightings,” Kirby told reporters.
Kirby further explained that a review of available imagery indicated that many of the reports were linked to lawful manned aircraft operations.
Kirby’s comments came in response to persistent reports from New Jersey residents and officials, including 11 drone sightings recorded by the US Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County.
The arsenal has been a focal point of the reported activity, with some local residents speculating that the drones might originate from the military installation itself.
If the Pentagon truly has no clue who’s flying massive drones over New Jersey neighborhoods and military bases, the level of incompetence is staggering. Either they know and won’t say—or they’ve lost control of the skies. Neither is acceptable.
Video from my house the other… pic.twitter.com/rl18r1e1jW [2]— Nicole Saphier, MD (@NBSaphierMD) December 12, 2024 [3]
Despite these accounts, Kirby maintained that there is no evidence to suggest the sightings pose any national security risks or threats to public safety.
“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said during the briefing.
While attempting to downplay concerns, Kirby acknowledged that the drone sightings have brought attention to a regulatory gap in counter-drone authority.
He urged Congress to consider passing legislation to expand federal powers for addressing such incidents.
“The sightings have done little more than highlight a gap in authority,” Kirby noted, emphasizing the need for updated laws to better handle drone-related issues.
White House National Security Advisor John Kirby says the US does not have any of its own imagery of the drones over NJ and NY.
He claims the White House is adequately investigating the drones situation and there is no national security threat. pic.twitter.com/y9OnJRbILy [4]
— UAP News (@HighPeaks77) December 12, 2024 [5]
The statement leaves some questions unanswered, particularly regarding the discrepancy between federal assessments and the Picatinny Arsenal’s recorded sightings.
As investigations continue, residents and local officials await further clarity on the situation.
It’s a slap in the face that the Pentagon continues to tell the American people they don’t know who is flying the drones over New Jersey.
I think the Pentagon absolutely knows, but they’re full of crap.
And if they actually don’t know, these officials should resign in disgrace.… pic.twitter.com/48jM7jAuxw [6]
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 12, 2024 [7]