‘We Know Nothing’: State, Local Officials Demand Answers About Mystery Drones

Potentially thousands of sightings of large, unidentified drones are baffling local, state, and federal investigators.

Friday, December 13, 2024 at 04:30 PM ET

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White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby addresses reports of unidentified drones in New Jersey during a press briefing on Thursday. [Courtesy: C-SPAN]

Key Takeaways:

Thousands of mysterious drones have been reported in U.S. airspace, primarily across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, causing significant concern and frustration among state and local officials.
Federal agencies like the DHS and FBI are investigating but state there is no known national security or public safety threat, which contradicts the experiences of local officials who describe large, coordinated, untraceable drones exhibiting "unusual and potentially nefarious" behavior.
State and federal lawmakers are demanding greater transparency, resources, and federal intervention, noting that current laws only permit federal authorities to take action against rogue drones, leaving local entities without recourse.

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Potentially thousands of mysterious drones have been reported in U.S. airspace, and state and local officials are demanding answers.

New Jersey officials—including more than 500 mayors and other state and local lawmakers—were briefed on the drones by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during a meeting at New Jersey State Police headquarters on Wednesday. Many said they left the briefing frustrated, confused, and with more questions than answers. Several called for the military to intervene. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy did not join the meeting, attendees said.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.