The drones spotted over New Jersey and New York in recent weeks have befuddled officials and frustrated residents, sparking speculation and concern over who sent them and why.
The FBI is investigating but says it does not know the source of the drones, which have captivated residents for nearly a month.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was investigating the matter with federal law enforcement agencies, while New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into an investigation of the drones.
“I wrote to @POTUS to express my concerns about reports of unmanned aircraft systems in and around NJ airspace,” he posted on social media platform X Friday.
“Since existing laws limit the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter UAS, more federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.”
The Pentagon has said they are not U.S. military drones and Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the aircraft pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.
The drones have drawn intense public concern and curiosity since residents first reported seeing them last month. New Jersey State Rep. Dawn Fantasia said from four to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18, appearing from dusk until 11 p.m.
She estimates that there are typically an average of 92 sightings per night.
Similar sightings have been reported in southern California and Minnesota, according to reports.
Reuters reported that drones have also been spotted at the U.S. Air Force base at Ramstein in Germany this month.
President-elect Donald Trump has posted that he believes the government knows more than it’s saying. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on his social media site.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on Thursday said the drones should be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft.
“We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Blumenthal said.
Experts, however, warn not to shoot at anything in the sky.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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