(NewsNation) — Mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region have prompted concern from local residents, anger from lawmakers and endless speculation on social media.
The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.
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? Use our ChannelFinder app.
Drones over New Jersey
The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once.
The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
A federal probe into the sightings continues to produce a lack of substantial answers, angering lawmakers and residents alike.
The FBI has concluded the drones do not belong to the U.S. military and that foreign governments are not behind the objects.
When did the drones start appearing?
The drones were first spotted in northern New Jersey, in mid-November.
Where have the drones been spotted?
While it’s unknown if there is any connection, floating lights have been reported in states throughout the country.
Similar sightings are being reported in San Diego County and other parts of Southern California.
FOX9 in Minnesota reports residents in Northfield have seen mysterious flashing lights in the night sky.
Mysterious drones have also been spotted over Bowie, Maryland, according to videos sent to NewsNation affiliate DC News Now by a viewer.
Autumn Stasulli and her family were out trying to see Christmas lights when they spotted flashing red and green lights in the sky above her Bowie home on Monday night.
“There’s a drone, they’re all over,” said Autumn Stasulli in one of the videos.
Stasulli said she spotted what appeared to be three to five drones the size of SUVs in the sky emitting loud noises.
“I got out of my car and started filming and these drones were just all over the place. I was shocked,” said Stasulli.
Stasulli said she then saw what appeared to be military jets chasing after the drones.
“This is very unsettling like I would like to know where these are coming from especially now that they’re starting to be seen in Maryland,” said Stasulli.
What are lawmakers saying about the mysterious drones?
NewsNation has confirmed that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Friday received a classified briefing on the drones.
Lawmakers on both sides have called for the drones to be intercepted.
“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,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday, as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., echoed those comments during an appearance on NewsNation.
“We have the capability to shoot them now, but to do it in a place where there would not be any threat to anybody on the ground,” Smith said. “Just do it.”
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 this week 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.
The White House as well as federal authorities rejected a claim from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., that an Iranian mothership operated the drones.
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.
“I walked out because it was it was worthless,” Bergen told NewsNation. “It was the biggest amateur hour presentation I’ve ever seen about anything. It was ridiculous. There were no answers. Every question that was asked by a member of the state legislature — great questions, no answers, no resolution. They don’t know where the drones are coming from.”
What have military and law enforcement said about the drones?
The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.
“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones.
Ret. Maj. Gen. John F. Wharton, who consults with several government agencies, told NewsNation some issues need to be addressed considering where the drones are being spotted.
“I don’t think you need to engage kinetically and take these things down until you get a little more information from the government and all the other agencies,” Wharton said.
“However, I do think it is a concern that when you’re flying over critical infrastructure, dense urban environments that are important to national security, we have to be prepared and have to put the proper measures in place. It’s not going away.”
Shaun Golden, the sheriff of Monmouth County, New Jersey, has urged Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency.
“We continue to urge our governor to press the federal government to put more … resources out here,” Golden said Thursday on “Dan Abrams Live.” “The only way we’re going to solve this is by the federal government coming in here and doing full investigations as to what these things are, how their movements are made.”
