What we know about the reported drone sightings in New Jersey and other states

WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump on Friday called for the mysterious drones spotted flying over New Jersey and other states to be shot down unless the government can inform the public on who’s controlling them.

His remarks come as New Jersey residents have reported hundreds of drone sightings for nearly a month. The drones measure six feet in diameter and typically fly from dusk to 11 p.m., according to the Asbury Park Press. Residents in other states such as Maryland and New York have also started to report similar sightings.

“Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security both said in a joint statement on Thursday that there is no evidence the drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat.

They added that many reported sightings are “manned aircraft, operating lawfully.”

“The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings,” the agencies said in the statement.

Lawmakers put pressure on Biden administration

Lawmakers have urged federal agencies to take action and be more transparent about the drone sightings.

Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., penned a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday requesting a briefing on how the agencies are working with federal and local officials “to identify and address the source of these incursions.”

They noted that they were concerned about potential privacy or safety risks that could come with the drone activity.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., criticized the Biden administration for being “dismissive” about the reported sightings.

“The Biden Administration has an obligation to the American people to figure out and tell us what is going on immediately. Their lack of decisive action and empty reassurances will only cause increased speculation and continue to escalate the valid concerns that so many people have,” he said in the statement. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, launched an investigation into the drone sightings on Friday, working in coordination with federal agencies. Democrat New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Friday urging him to send more resources to the state to “fully understand what is behind this activity.”

Former Republican Maryland Governor Larry Hogan also called for action from the government after posting a video on his social media of what he said were drones flying above his home.

“The government has the ability to track these from their point of origin but has mounted a negligent response. People are rightfully clamoring for answers, but aren’t getting any,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

What has the Biden administration and state officials said about the drone sightings?

White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby reiterated what federal agencies have said about the reporting drone sightings, adding in a press briefing on Thursday that there is no evidence of foreign-based involvement from coastal vessels.

“We’re at the beginning here, not the end,” Kirby said. “There’s a lot more work to be done and we’re working closely with state and local authorities to gain more information.”

New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra said that federal officials had sent over the most effective piece of detection equipment they have called an electro-optical infrared camera, which is supposed to detect drones within one to two miles and can see in the dark, the Asbury Park Press reported.  

However, the equipment has been unsuccessful in detecting the drones.

When asked about bringing down the drones, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that any action taken against the drones is a decision for state and local authorities.

“That’s a decision for local law enforcement,” Singh said. “If a drone or, you know, any activity is a threat to military installations, they always have the right for self-defense.”

Contributing: Lisa Robyn Kruse, Jenna Calderón, and Amanda Oglesby of Asbury Park Press. Saleen Martin and Fernando Cervantes Jr. of USA TODAY. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What have federal and state officials said about the drone sightings?