New Jersey Lawmaker Demands Action on Mysterious Drones
A New Jersey lawmaker is calling for immediate action to address the recent surge in drone sightings above the Garden State. Republican Congressman Chris Smith is urging The Pentagon to take down one of the nearly 1,000 drones that have been spotted since Nov. 19.
During a news conference in Seaside Heights, Smith expressed his frustration, saying, “Why can’t we bag at least one drone and get to the bottom of this? Why can’t we even track a suspect drone to its origin? Have we so little control over our airspace?”
President-elect Donald Trump has also voiced his support for shooting down one of the drones in order to investigate the situation.
The sightings of the drones have caused concern among residents of New Jersey and New York for weeks. Federal officials have been unable to provide a clear explanation for the drones, speculating that they may be misidentified helicopters or small airplanes.
Smith criticized Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for downplaying the significance of the drone sightings, questioning how officials can assure the public that there is no threat.
Smith is pushing for more serious consideration of the potential threat posed by the drones, especially in light of reports from civilians, police officers, and Coast Guard members.
He raised concerns about the possibility of foreign powers using the drones to test defense capabilities, emphasizing the need for a proactive response.
Despite denials from the Pentagon about deploying the drones, Smith is determined to address the situation. He has requested authorization to take down the drones and is working on legislation to empower state police to respond effectively to any threats posed by the mysterious aircraft.
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