What we know about mysterious drones over New Jersey and other states

Since November 18, many people have reported seeing mysterious flying machines known as drones over New Jersey, causing concern among residents. The government has stated that these drones are not considered a threat to public safety or national security. On Sunday, Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, confirmed that the sightings included both drones and manned aircraft that were often mistaken for drones. He also mentioned that there is no evidence of foreign involvement with these unmanned aerial vehicles. Some lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with how the government has managed the situation and the lack of information provided to the public. So, what do we know about these drone sightings? Numerous reports have come in from New Jersey, but sightings have also been noted in other states across the northeastern United States. Some of these flights were observed near Picatinny Arsenal, a sensitive military research facility, and close to President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. In response to these sightings, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued temporary flight restrictions that prohibit drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny. Other states have also reported drone activity. In New York City, several drones were seen flying over the Bronx on December 12. Stewart Airfield in New York had to shut down for about an hour on December 13 due to drone activity, as confirmed by Governor Kathy Hochul. In Connecticut, police have acknowledged 'suspicious drone activity' and have implemented a drone detection system near Groton and New London. In Maryland, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan reported seeing what appeared to be dozens of drones over his home in Davidsonville. In Massachusetts, two men were arrested on December 14 for conducting a 'hazardous drone operation' near the airspace of Logan International Airport in Boston. Additionally, multiple sightings have been reported in eastern Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. In October, the Wall Street Journal reported that mysterious drones were observed for 17 consecutive days near military facilities in Virginia. Drones were also spotted over three U. S. airbases in the UK in late November, with British defense sources suggesting a 'state actor' might be involved. Drones were reported near the Ramstein U. S. military airbase in Germany in early December as well. What have investigators said about these drones? During a call with reporters, officials from various U. S. agencies stated that there is no evidence indicating a threat to public safety. An FBI official suggested that there may have been a slight overreaction to the situation. Secretary Mayorkas told ABC News that he is aware of 'no foreign involvement' regarding the sightings in the northeast. He assured that if any foreign involvement or criminal activity is identified, the public will be informed accordingly. What exactly are these flying objects? After a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on December 11, New Jersey assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia reported that the drones seem to evade detection by traditional methods such as helicopters and radio. She described the drones as being up to 6 feet in diameter, flying with their lights turned off, and operating in a coordinated manner. Secretary Mayorkas suggested that the increase in drone sightings could be attributed to a change in federal law last year that allowed drones to be flown at night. 'That may be one of the reasons why people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk,' he explained. Where are these drones coming from? It remains unclear who is operating these drones. New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew speculated that the drones might be coming from an Iranian 'mothership' in the Atlantic Ocean, while Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi suggested there is a 'non-trivial' chance that China could be involved. However, the Pentagon, White House, and Department of Homeland Security have all insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects. A man from northern California was charged with flying a drone over and taking pictures of Vandenberg Space Force Base near Santa Barbara on November 30. The 39-year-old Chinese national, Yinpiao Zhou, was arrested just before he was about to board a flight to China. However, there has been no indication that this incident is connected to the recent drone sightings on the other side of the country. The Pentagon maintains that there is no foreign origin for the objects. Can the drones be stopped? President-elect Trump has suggested that the drones could not be flying without the government's knowledge. 'Let the public know, and now,' he wrote on his Truth Social media platform. 'Otherwise, shoot them down. ' Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, also stated that the drones should be shot down. However, shooting down drones is illegal. New York State Governor Hochul has called on the federal government to allow states to take action against the drones. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has requested that federal officials send drone detection systems to New York and New Jersey. The FAA has warned that drone operators who engage in unsafe or dangerous operations could face fines of up to $75,000 and have their drone pilot certificates revoked.