White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby maintains that the government still lacks definitive answers regarding reported drone sightings as public frustration intensifies.
Kirby, speaking on “The Story,” clarified that while many corroborated sightings have turned out to be piloted aircraft, there are still instances that have not been verified, and the government is not yet certain what is causing the reported drone activity. He emphasized that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are investigating the incidents and encourage those who have witnessed or documented the drones to share their information with the agencies.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has requested additional federal resources to address the issue, citing that the current federal law limits the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter drones. In a Wednesday letter to President Biden, Murphy expressed his concern about the ongoing activity, saying that it has raised more questions than answers and fueled conspiracy theories on social media.
A heat map, released by Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, highlights the density of drones spotted across his county, demonstrating the widespread nature of the sightings. Sheriff Golden urged officials to declare a state of emergency due to the drone activity, and other officials have echoed concerns.
Representative Chris Smith recounted speaking with a U.S. Coast Guard commanding officer who reported a 47-foot Coast Guard vessel was closely followed by more than a dozen drones the previous night. Middletown Mayor Tony Perry also expressed his concerns about drone sightings near Naval Weapons Station Earle in his town.
Kirby assured the public that the government takes the sightings seriously and encourages individuals with additional information and imagery to come forward, stating that “we’re doing the best we can to analyze it.” He also noted that an inter-agency conversation took place on Friday and that the government will be employing additional technology and personnel to gain a better understanding of the situation.
