What we know about the mysterious drones buzzing over New Jersey

In New Jersey, a mystery has been unfolding as numerous residents have reported sightings of unidentified flying objects resembling drones since November 18. This situation has sparked considerable concern among the public and has led to intense discussions about the nature of these aerial phenomena. The government has stated that they do not believe these objects pose any threat to public safety or national security. On Thursday, John Kirby, a spokesperson for national security at the White House, informed reporters that many of the reported drone sightings might actually be attributed to manned aircraft. However, some lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response and the lack of transparency regarding the situation. So, what do we know about these mysterious flying objects? Reports indicate that dozens of drone sightings have been documented across New Jersey since mid-November. The initial sightings occurred near the Raritan River, which feeds into the Round Valley Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the state. As time went on, sightings began to spread to various locations, including the New Jersey coastline. Some of the reported flights were observed near Picatinny Arsenal, a sensitive military research facility, as well as close to Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. Additionally, on December 12, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx in New York City, with police officers confirming their presence before they vanished from sight. Reports of drone activity have also emerged from other areas in New Jersey, and police in Connecticut have acknowledged suspicious drone activity in their state as well. In Maryland, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan claimed to have witnessed what appeared to be dozens of drones flying over his home in Davidsonville, located about 25 miles from Washington, D. C. He expressed his concerns on social media, stating that the public is increasingly worried and frustrated by the government's lack of transparency and dismissive attitude. In late November, the United States Air Force confirmed that unidentified drones were spotted over three U. S. airbases in the United Kingdom: RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell. UK defense sources suggested that a state actor might be responsible for these incursions. Furthermore, in October, the Wall Street Journal reported that mysterious drones were observed for 17 consecutive days near U. S. military facilities in Virginia. What have investigators said about the drones? During a call with reporters, officials from various U. S. agencies attempted to reassure the public that the drones were not the result of foreign interference or a national security threat. An FBI official remarked that there may have been a slight overreaction to the situation. While downplaying public concern, authorities emphasized that investigations into the drone sightings are ongoing. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acknowledged the public's worries and stated that they are dedicating significant resources to the investigation. They also emphasized that there is currently no evidence indicating a threat to public safety. What exactly are these flying objects? John Kirby from the White House has suggested that many of the reported drone sightings may actually be manned aircraft. Both federal and state authorities have indicated that they do not believe the drones are dangerous or pose a threat to national security. Following a briefing with the DHS on December 11, New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia noted that the drones seem to evade detection by traditional methods such as helicopters and radio. She described the drones as being approximately 6 feet in diameter, flying with their lights turned off, and operating in a coordinated manner. This description contrasts with the White House's assertion that these sightings are likely manned aircraft. The FBI and DHS have also stated that the majority of sightings appear to be lawful, manned flights, with none reported in restricted airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement indicating that the increasing use of drones has led to more people noticing them in the sky. They clarified that while drones can be flown in most locations below 400 feet, they cannot be operated within controlled airspace around airports without FAA authorization, over national security-sensitive facilities, or in certain military bases and landmarks. Where might these drones be coming from? If the objects are confirmed to be drones, it remains unclear who is operating them. Citing anonymous high-level sources, New Jersey Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew suggested that they might be coming from an Iranian 'mothership' in the Atlantic Ocean. However, the Pentagon quickly dismissed this claim, stating that there is no truth to it. They confirmed that there is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and no so-called mothership launching drones toward the country. Another lawmaker, Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, who serves on a congressional committee focused on China's Communist Party, mentioned that there is a non-trivial chance that China could be involved. He expressed concern that the likelihood of accessing data collected by these drones is quite high. Nevertheless, both the Pentagon and the White House have insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects. Van Drew and other lawmakers have pushed back against these denials, arguing that the government does not truly understand the situation. In a separate incident, a man in Northern California was charged on December 11 for flying a drone over and taking pictures of Vandenberg Space Force Base, located near Santa Barbara. This incident allegedly occurred on November 30, and the man, a 39-year-old Chinese national named Yinpiao Zhou, was arrested just before boarding a flight to China. He appeared in court on Tuesday, and no plea was entered. There is no indication that this incident is related to the recent drone sightings on the East Coast. Can the drones be stopped? Several lawmakers have suggested that the drones should be shot down and analyzed to determine their origin and intentions. Among them is President-elect Donald Trump, who took to his Truth Social media platform to suggest that drones could not be flying without the government's knowledge. He urged the public to be informed and stated, 'Otherwise, shoot them down. ' The FAA has established temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny. In a statement, the FAA warned that drone operators who engage in unsafe or dangerous operations could face fines of up to $75,000 and risk losing their drone pilot certificates. In a letter to President Joe Biden published on December 13, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged federal agencies to collaborate in solving the mystery and to push Congress to extend counter-drone capabilities to local law enforcement. Some residents have even suggested taking matters into their own hands, although authorities have strongly warned against this, as it is illegal. One man even commented on social media that a good shotgun would solve the problem.