Drone Sightings in Northeast: Government Response Under Fire
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested Sunday that a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule change in September 2023 might explain the surge in nighttime drone sightings across the northeastern U.S. However, this explanation has been met with widespread skepticism and criticism, with many dismissing the government’s response as “hogwash.”
The sightings, which have sparked paranoia among residents in New Jersey and neighboring states, have led to over 3,000 tips submitted to the FBI. Most reports describe drones appearing at night, causing alarm and triggering investigations by law enforcement, including the FBI and local agencies.
Mayorkas Links Drone Surge to FAA Rule Change
Speaking to ABC News’ This Week, Mayorkas said, “In September 2023, the FAA changed the rules to allow drones to fly at night. That may be one of the reasons why people are seeing more drones, especially from dawn to dusk.”
Despite these assurances, public confidence remains low. Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is inundated with posts questioning the federal response. Critics wonder why it took weeks of public panic for the government to offer an explanation. Others demand immediate action: “Let the authorities ban night drone operations. If the sightings stop, the issue is resolved. Otherwise, this remains a mystery,” one user posted.
Lingering Questions Fuel Mistrust
Skeptics have raised critical concerns, including:
- Why did it take the Biden administration so long to address this issue?
- Why was Stewart Airport in New York temporarily shut down due to unexplained drone activity?
- What prompted law enforcement, including New Jersey’s Sheriff, to deploy drones to track the unidentified objects?
- Why haven’t authorities intercepted any of these drones or identified their operators?
Adding to the controversy, some drone videos circulating online have been dismissed as ordinary aircraft, yet many sightings remain unexplained.
Officials Insist No Malicious Intent
Mayorkas reassured the public that there’s no evidence of criminal activity, national security threats, or foreign interference related to the drones. “We’ve deployed additional resources, personnel, and technology to assist local authorities in addressing these sightings,” he said.
A National Security Council spokesperson emphasized that some sightings initially reported as drones were later identified as manned aircraft operating lawfully. However, officials acknowledged that unexplained sightings persist.
As investigations continue, the public remains unconvinced, demanding transparency, accountability, and decisive action to resolve the unsettling surge in drone activity.
