(NewsNation) — Dozens of mystery drones were spotted over New Jersey and NewsNation obtained exclusive footage.
NewsNation’s Rich McHugh was embedded with Ocean County Sheriff’s Department to investigate the drones. After not seeing any drones, he got a call that some drones had been spotted in Monmouth County.
“I raced up to Monmouth County and pulled off in Red Bank, and sure enough I looked in the sky and saw one. I started following it into a residential area, took out my phone and started filming it,” McHugh says.
“I believe I saw over 50 of these drones. And I’ve got to say, if this is not the military, it is even more terrifying. These things look like they are fixed-wing and they have multiple lights,” he continued. “I’m not really sure how to process what I saw last night. Both the photographer and I were kind of stunned.”
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department launched their own drones to see if they could intercept the mysterious aircraft Garden State residents have been reporting in recent weeks.
The department says the mystery drones, about 8 to 10 feet wide, evade detection because they don’t give off heat like regular ones.
One of the department’s own officers called 911 on Thursday evening after seeing 50 of them come off the Atlantic Ocean.
“We contacted state police. We contacted the FBI. We contacted the Coast Guard, at which point the Coast Guard went out with their boat and they reported seeing 13 (drones) following their boat,” said Sheriff Michael Mastronardy. “And then the Coast Guard also advised that they went over them about 300 feet and had a wingspan of about eight feet.”
Mastronardy also has a message for the White House.
“Come to the Jersey Shore,” he said. “I know it’s wintertime, but come see what we see. Then, you know, maybe have a better appreciation for why our residents are concerned.”
McHugh has been talking with experts and law enforcement about what he saw, and the government’s response. His live report with what he’s learned will air Friday at 5ET/4C on NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports. Find your channel here.
Lawmakers response to the mysterious drones
Lawmakers and the public have been demanding answers about the drones. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden has asked New Jersey’s governor to declare a state of emergency.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan posted a video on X of drones above his house Thursday night and says he is demanding answers.
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.
“We are being told that neither the White House, the military, the FBI, or Homeland Security have any idea what they are, where they came from, or who has launched or is controlling them–and that they pose no threat. That response is entirely unacceptable. I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue. The American people deserve answers and action now,” Hogan wrote.
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.”
Stay with NewsNation and download the NewsNation app for continuing updates on the drones and the government’s response.
