Unidentified Drone Controversy in US East Coast... Anxiety Rises Despite Authorities' Explanation

Secretary of Homeland Security "Deploying Additional Resources... Some Are Aircraft"
Himes Denies Rumors "Iran Is Not Using Chinese Drones"

Unidentified drones have been repeatedly spotted in the eastern regions including New Jersey and New York City, prompting authorities to issue explanations. However, despite officials' assurances that there is no impact on safety, public anxiety remains high and dissatisfaction is growing.

On the 15th (local time), Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), appeared on ABC News and stated, "The federal government has deployed additional resources, personnel, and technology to support New Jersey police in resolving the drone sighting incidents."

An object presumed to be a drone flying over New Jersey on the 4th. Photo by AP Yonhap News

He added, "We want to assure the American people that we are addressing this issue."

Since mid-last month, drone sightings have been reported along the East Coast, including New Jersey. Several large drones were also captured flying near military facilities and the golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, where then-President-elect Donald Trump’s golf club is located.

Secretary Mayorkas explained that some of the sightings were manned aircraft mistaken for drones. He noted that thousands of commercial drones fly daily and that since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowed nighttime drone flights in September 2023, more drones have been visible than before.

On the same day, Representative Jim Himes of the House Intelligence Committee appeared on Fox News and said there is no credible reason to believe the drone activity is linked to foreign espionage or criminal activity, but the government should take further measures. However, he dismissed rumors that hostile countries sent the drones, saying, "I can say with confidence: it’s not Iran, not China, and not Mars."

The day before, the White House, DHS, FAA, and FBI held a joint briefing stating that the recent surge in drone sighting reports was due to misidentification of manned aircraft. A DHS official said, "At this time, there is no evidence that poses a threat to public safety."

According to the FBI, out of 5,000 drone sighting reports, fewer than 100 were deemed to require actual investigation. An FBI official noted, "Drone sighting reports are concentrated around flight paths near nearby airports." These areas include New York’s JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Airport in New Jersey.

However, voices expressing difficulty in accepting these official explanations persist. The day before, New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the situation "too serious" and urged relevant authorities to investigate the truth. She reported that the runway at Stewart International Airport, about 100 km north of New York City, was closed for about an hour on the night of the 13th due to drone activity.

James Dodd, Mayor of Dover Town, New Jersey, criticized the official response as unsettling, saying, "The U.S. can launch missiles from 5,000 miles (about 8,047 km) away, but we don’t know where these drones came from." He released a response document received from DHS, which stated that it is currently unclear who is controlling the drones.

Larry Hogan, former Governor of Maryland, posted on social media the day before that he witnessed dozens of large drones over his home and said, "The public feels concern and frustration due to the federal government’s lack of transparency and indifferent attitude."

President-elect Trump stated on his social media on the 13th, "They should either inform the public immediately or shoot them down."