Hundreds of unexplained drone sightings are rattling residents and lawmakers across the Northeast. As the mystery deepens, bipartisan calls for federal transparency are mounting. What’s really happening above us—and why aren’t we being told?
BY PC Bureau
Something strange is happening in the skies above the Northeast. What began as a curious anomaly in New Jersey has ballooned into a full-blown enigma, with hundreds of unexplained drone sightings sparking confusion, concern, and calls for federal action. From the garden state’s bustling suburbs to the sprawling countryside of Pennsylvania and the skyline of New York City, the mystery drones have captured the public’s imagination—and ire.
“Thousands of drones and unmanned aerial systems are flying above us, and our government isn’t telling us who’s operating them or why,” declared Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., during a charged press conference in Staten Island on Friday. With frustration etched on her face, she didn’t mince words: “I don’t believe that the United States, with its military capabilities, doesn’t know what these objects are. What we’re asking—what we’re demanding—is honesty.”
Yet, for all the fiery rhetoric, the official response has been as nebulous as the sightings themselves. The White House claims that agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI, have found no corroborating evidence for the reported visuals. Even the U.S. Secret Service has distanced itself, stating unequivocally that it “does not currently have any unmanned aerial systems operating in or around New Jersey or New York.”
A Region Gripped by Drone Fever
Despite reassurances from federal agencies, the sightings continue at an astonishing pace. According to senior officials, New Jersey alone recorded 79 drone sightings in a single night last week, with some estimating as many as 180 nightly incidents across the state. The phenomenon has persisted for nearly a month, with dramatic footage and eyewitness accounts fueling speculation and unease.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged the sightings in a post on X (formerly Twitter), but tempered concerns by stating, “At this time, there’s no evidence that these drones pose a public safety or national security threat.”
However, this assurance hasn’t quelled the rising tide of frustration. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan added his voice to the chorus of criticism after witnessing “dozens of large drones” above his own home. “Neither the White House, the military, the FBI, nor Homeland Security knows what they are, where they came from, or who is controlling them,” he wrote. “That response is entirely unacceptable. The American people deserve answers and action now.”
The Bipartisan Push for Answers
The mystery has sparked bipartisan calls for a robust federal response. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has penned letters to President Biden and congressional leaders urging immediate action. He advocates for legislation granting state and local authorities the tools to detect and neutralize unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in their airspace.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., has also jumped into the fray, requesting a detailed briefing from the DHS, FBI, FAA, and Department of Defense no later than Dec. 18. “I am deeply concerned about the surge in drone activity near New England,” he wrote. “This region is home to some of the busiest and most complex airspaces in the country.”
Aerial Anonymity: Theories and Tensions
While officials search for answers, the public is left to grapple with theories ranging from corporate espionage to clandestine government operations—or even something more sinister. As sightings grow and frustration mounts, one thing is clear: the mystery drones have landed at the intersection of curiosity and accountability, and the skies above the Northeast are far from clear.
For now, the drones remain an unsolved riddle—whispering through the night and leaving a trail of questions in their wake.
