Amid rising reports of unexplained drone sightings, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has written to President Joe Biden requesting additional federal resources for investigation. While the FBI and DHS probe the matter, Assemblyman Erik Peterson has accused authorities of misleading the public about the sightings, further fueling public anxiety.
BY PC Bureau
New Jersey Assemblyman Erik Peterson has accused federal authorities of misleading the public about the surge of drone sightings reported across the Garden State and neighboring states. Speaking on CNN Saturday, Peterson said the government is “lying” about the mysterious incidents, which have sparked concern among residents and prompted investigations by the FBI and DHS.
“They’re lying to us,” Peterson said. “First, they claim we’re not seeing anything, and then they say they don’t know what it is. It’s all a lie.” He described witnessing drones himself near his rural home, emphasizing their distinct movements and lack of noise, making it clear they were neither airplanes nor helicopters.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has stated that the unidentified "drone" sightings in New Jersey have increased since the FAA banned drones flights.<br><br>What does that tell you about who is responsible?<a href=”https://t.co/JUkpP23lDQ”>https://t.co/JUkpP23lDQ</a> <a href=”https://t.co/6Mixt4W9zM”>pic.twitter.com/6Mixt4W9zM</a></p>— Disclosure Party (@disclosureorg) <a href=”https://twitter.com/disclosureorg/status/1870931086022213662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Peterson criticized the response from officials, particularly the dismissal of the sightings as “mistaken identity.” He noted tools like Flightradar24 show no aircraft activity in the areas where drones have been observed, reinforcing residents’ claims.
The FBI, leading the investigation with support from DHS, said in a joint statement that there is currently “no evidence” linking the drone sightings to national security or public safety threats. However, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has urged President Biden to allocate more federal resources to address the issue.
In a letter to the president, Murphy revealed that since November 18, state police have documented numerous reports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sightings. He also mentioned that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had briefed his administration on steps being taken to investigate the activity.
As the investigation unfolds, Peterson and other lawmakers continue to press for transparency, emphasizing the importance of addressing the public’s growing concerns.
