A large number of mysterious drones have been spotted flying over several areas of New Jersey and the East Coast in recent weeks, sparking speculation and concern about who is sending them and why.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote to U.S. President Joe Biden seeking answers. Newly elected New Jersey Senator Andy Kim spent Thursday night searching for drones in northern New Jersey and posted about what he saw on X (formerly Twitter).
Murphy and law enforcement officials have emphasized that the drones do not appear to pose a threat to public safety, but many lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules for drone monitoring.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is among several agencies investigating the situation and has asked residents to share videos, photos, and any other information they may have about the drones.
What’s happening with the drones in New Jersey?
Since November, dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones in various parts of New Jersey. Some believe these unexplained sightings may have a connection to other unsolved phenomena, such as the Hessdalen Lights, a mysterious light phenomenon in Norway.
Initially, they were spotted flying along the Raritan River, which feeds into the Round Valley Reservoir, about 50 miles west of New York City.
Soon after, reports of similar drones spread across the state, including near Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and production facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
The flying devices have also been seen recently in coastal areas.
Republican Congressman Chris Smith said a commanding officer of the Coast Guard told him that twelve drones closely followed one of its rescue boats over the weekend.
Federal officials insist the drones do not pose a danger
Rising anxiety among some residents has not gone unnoticed by the Biden administration, which has been criticized by Trump for not taking the issue seriously enough. For additional insights into the ongoing investigations, check out the latest report by the Associated Press.
In a Saturday press call organized by the White House, senior officials from the FBI, the Pentagon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other agencies sought to reassure residents that the drones do not pose a threat to national or public security and are not the activity of a hostile foreign actor.
An anonymous FBI official stated that public concern is understandable but added that some reactions have been “overblown.”
Pentagon spokesperson General Pat Ryder said Thursday that the military’s initial assessment, made in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Council, remains unchanged — that the drones are not linked to foreign actors.
New Jersey Congressman calls on the military to take action
A New Jersey congressman has called on the Pentagon to authorize the use of force to bring down one or more drones to uncover who sent them.
The objects could be brought down over the ocean or in an unpopulated area on land, Smith said at a Saturday press conference.
“Why can’t we capture at least one of these drones and figure it all out?” Smith asked.
Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew also called for the military to shoot down the drones.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden urged people not to take matters into their own hands by shooting at drones, as this would violate state and federal laws.
Drones have also been seen over New York
Reports of similar drones have surfaced in New York, where drone flights require permits. Mayor Eric Adams said the city is investigating the matter and cooperating with New Jersey and federal officials.
About 60 miles north of the city, runways at Stewart International Airport were shut down for about an hour Friday night due to drones in the airspace, said Governor Kathy Hochul.
“This has gone too far,” she said in a statement.
The governor called on Congress to strengthen FAA oversight of drones and give state and local law enforcement more investigative authority.
“Expanding these powers for New York State and our colleagues is essential,” she said. “Until these powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration must step in by deploying additional federal law enforcement agents to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people.”
Are these drones dangerous?
The White House has stated that an analysis of the reported drones suggests that many are, in fact, manned aircraft flying legally.
The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI also said in a joint statement that they have no evidence suggesting the drones pose “a threat to national or public safety or are linked to a foreign actor.”
State Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed by Homeland Security, said the reported drones measure up to six feet in diameter and sometimes travel with their lights turned off — much larger than the drones typically flown by hobbyists.
Who sent the drones?
Authorities say they don’t know.
The FBI, Homeland Security, and state police are investigating. Officials say they are unsure whether it’s a single drone being seen repeatedly or multiple devices flying in a coordinated effort.
Speculation has run wild online, with some expressing fears that the drone or drones could be part of a malicious plot by foreign agents.
Officials stress that state and federal investigations have found no evidence to support these concerns, but Congressman Smith reiterated such a possibility on Saturday.
“The covert maneuvering of these drones suggests a sophisticated military capability that raises the question of whether they’re being sent to test our defensive capacities — or worse — by rogue regimes. Perhaps it’s Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea,” Smith said.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that these aircraft are not U.S. military drones.
What have officials said about the drones?
Trump has claimed that the government knows more than it’s letting on.
“Tell the public and tell them now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on his social media platform.
Senator Richard Blumenthal said Thursday that the drones should be “neutralized if necessary.”
“We need urgent intelligence analysis and to take them out of the sky, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Blumenthal said.
Experts, however, warn against shooting anything out of the sky.
Trisha Bushey, 48, a New Jersey resident in an area with frequent sightings, said she doesn’t believe the claim that the drones are not a threat to public safety.
“How can you say they’re not a threat if you don’t know what they are?” she asked. “I think that’s why so many people are worried.”
Are drones allowed in New Jersey?
Drone flights for recreational and commercial use are legal in the state but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions.
In New York, permits are required to launch or land an unmanned aircraft, and operations must be FAA-certified.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is responsible for the mysterious drones in New Jersey?
Authorities have yet to identify the individuals or organizations behind the drones. Multiple investigations by the FBI, Homeland Security, and local law enforcement are ongoing, but no definitive answers have been provided.
2. Are the drones considered a threat to public safety?
Federal officials, including the Pentagon and FBI, have stated that the drones do not pose a threat to public or national security. However, their presence has raised concerns among residents and lawmakers, prompting calls for stricter regulations.
3. Where have the drones been sighted?
Drone sightings have been reported across New Jersey, including areas near Picatinny Arsenal, President Donald Trump’s golf course, and coastal regions. Similar drones have also been seen in New York and other parts of the East Coast.
4. What actions are lawmakers taking regarding the drones?
Several lawmakers, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Congressman Chris Smith, have called for increased drone regulations and military intervention to capture or neutralize the drones for investigation.
5. Could these drones belong to foreign entities?
While some speculate that the drones could be linked to foreign actors testing U.S. defenses, federal agencies, including the Pentagon, have found no evidence to support this theory.
6. What can residents do if they see a drone?
The FBI and local authorities encourage residents to report drone sightings and share any videos, photos, or information they may have to aid ongoing investigations.
7. Are drones allowed to fly in New Jersey and New York?
Drones are permitted for recreational and commercial use in New Jersey and require permits in New York. However, all operations must comply with FAA regulations and local laws regarding restricted airspace.
8. Have there been similar drone incidents in other states?
Yes, reports of drones have surfaced in other states, including Virginia and Massachusetts, where they were seen hovering over beaches and private properties.
9. Why are residents concerned about the drones?
Many residents feel uneasy because the drones often operate at night, travel in coordinated patterns, and remain unidentified. This uncertainty fuels speculation about their purpose and origins.
Have drones been seen elsewhere?
Drones have also been reported in Virginia and other locations.
Two people reported seeing a drone Thursday night near a beach in Virginia that was unlike any other they had seen.
The object hovered over the ocean, and they watched it move slowly above a National Guard installation, John Knight told The Virginian-Pilot.
“It was definitely different,” Knight said, who recorded video of what he believes was a drone roughly the size of a small truck.
“It flew like a helicopter but didn’t make any noise,” he added.
The Virginia National Guard had no aircraft operating in that area Thursday night, according to spokesperson A.A. Puryear.
In Massachusetts, 10 to 15 drones were reported hovering over a house Thursday night in Cape Cod.
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