The skies over New Jersey and New York have become a stage for a mysterious and escalating drama involving a multitude of unidentified drones, sparking alarm among local officials and residents alike. Since mid-November, nearly 1,000 drone sightings have been reported across New Jersey, prompting demands for federal intervention and a surge in anxiety over the potential security threat these unmanned aircraft pose. The sheer number of sightings, combined with their proximity to critical infrastructure like nuclear power plants, military bases, and major airports, has fueled speculation ranging from foreign espionage to more mundane explanations.
The growing frustration stems from the perceived inaction and dismissive attitude of federal authorities, who have attributed some of the sightings to misidentified conventional aircraft. This explanation has been met with skepticism and outright disbelief from local officials who have witnessed the drone activity firsthand. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey has been particularly vocal, questioning the government’s ability to control its airspace and demanding the downing of a drone to determine its origin and purpose. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has also taken a strong stance, requesting authorization for local law enforcement to shoot down drones if necessary.
The urgency of the situation has been underscored by several alarming incidents. Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, NY, was forced to close its runways temporarily after two drones were spotted overhead. PSE&G, New Jersey’s largest utility, took the unprecedented step of petitioning the FAA to halt air traffic over two of its nuclear power plants following drone sightings in the vicinity. Perhaps the most unsettling incident involved a Coast Guard cutter being shadowed by a swarm of 13 to 30 drones off the Jersey Shore, an encounter confirmed by the military branch.
Adding to the intrigue are conflicting narratives about the origin and nature of the drones. While federal officials have downplayed the threat, sources close to Rep. Smith suggest the drones could be linked to foreign adversaries like Iran or Russia. Rep. Jeff Van Drew has even posited a potential alliance between China and Iran, pointing to the sophistication and size of some of the observed drones. These theories gain credence considering the recent presence of Iranian drone ships in the Persian Gulf, which left their docks around the same time the drone sightings began.
Complicating the matter is the seeming lack of a coordinated and effective response from federal agencies. The FBI and NYPD claim to be monitoring the situation, but few concrete details about their investigations have been released. Local officials have expressed frustration with the federal government’s apparent reluctance to take decisive action, with some even claiming that federal investigators have subtly suggested local authorities should handle the downing of the drones themselves. This lack of clear direction has left local law enforcement and first responders in a precarious position, unsure of how to respond to the ongoing drone activity.
The drone saga has become a political flashpoint, with criticism directed at the Biden administration’s handling of the situation. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis has questioned the federal government’s explanations, particularly in light of eyewitness accounts from law enforcement and military personnel. She also raised concerns about the overall increase in air traffic, regardless of whether it involves drones or conventional aircraft, questioning the safety implications of such activity. The perceived lack of urgency and transparency has led some, like Rep. Van Drew, to express a longing for the leadership of former President Trump, arguing that the situation would have been handled more decisively under his administration. This sentiment reflects a broader distrust of the current government’s ability to address national security concerns, with the drone incidents serving as the latest example of perceived incompetence.
