New Jersey drone sightings: Lawmakers press for more briefings
(NewsNation) — Lawmakers want to have more meetings with investigators over the drones recently seen flying over New Jersey.
While a group of New Jersey lawmakers met with state police and the Department of Homeland Security about them, some, like Republican New Jersey state Rep. Brian Bergen told NewsNation they were frustrated with the lack of answers provided.
At least one state lawmaker who received a federal briefing claimed these drones appear to be able to avoid traditional detection methods.
NewsNation’s Ross Coulthart will examine the perplexing case of the mysterious drones seen all over New Jersey in an hour-long special program on NewsNation at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 14. Not sure how to find NewsNation on your TV? Visit JoinNN.com.
Sources tell NewsNation that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson planned to meet with investigators for a briefing on the drones, and a growing number of lawmakers hope to be part of similar ones.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, joined New Jersey Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim wrote a letter asking for a briefing with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security “as soon as possible.”
Concerns cited by the senators include a medevac helicopter that was allegedly prevented from transporting a seriously injured patient to get help because of the drones.
Booker said more transparency and “vigilance” is needed as the investigation into the drones continues.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, a Democrat, said the military should shoot the drones “if necessary.”
“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 Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
Drones appear to show no threat: FBI
In a memo, the FBI and DHS said there’s no known malicious activity happening, but the drone spotting highlights “the insufficiency of current authorities.”
“We take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems, which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports,” the memo said.
The Coast Guard says no reported or confirmed sightings have taken place in restricted airspace, and the White House as well as federal authorities reject a claim from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., that an Iranian mothership operated the drones.
There is no evidence of any foreign vessels off the East Coast, federal authorities say. Pentagon officials add there’s no evidence connecting the sightings to United States military drones.