What we know about drones over New Jersey, other parts of the US

(NewsNation) — Mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region have prompted concern from local residents, anger from lawmakers, and endless speculation on social media.

The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.

Drones over New Jersey

The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once.

The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility about 30 miles northwest of Newark, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.

A federal probe into the sightings continues to produce a lack of substantial answers, angering lawmakers and residents alike.

The FBI has concluded the drones do not belong to the U.S. military and that foreign governments are not behind the objects.

When did the drones start appearing?

The drones were first spotted in northern New Jersey, in mid-November.

Where have the drones been spotted?

While it’s unknown if there is any connection, floating lights have been reported in states throughout the country.

Similar sightings are being reported in San Diego County and other parts of Southern California, Nexstar’s KTLA reports.

KMSP in Minnesota reports residents in Northfield, located 40 miles south of Minneapolis, have seen mysterious flashing lights in the night sky.

Mysterious drones have also been spotted over Bowie, Maryland, according to videos sent to Nexstar’s WDVM by a viewer.

Autumn Stasulli and her family were out trying to see Christmas lights when they spotted flashing red and green lights in the sky above her Bowie home on Monday night.

“There’s a drone, they’re all over,” Stasulli can be heard saying in one of the videos.

Stasulli said she spotted what appeared to be three to five drones the size of SUVs in the sky emitting loud noises.

“I got out of my car and started filming and these drones were just all over the place. I was shocked,” said Stasulli, who explained that she then saw what appeared to be military jets chasing after the drones.

“This is very unsettling. Like, I would like to know where these are coming from, especially now that they’re starting to be seen in Maryland,” she added.

What are lawmakers saying about the mysterious drones?

NewsNation has confirmed that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Friday received a classified briefing on the drones.

Lawmakers on both sides have called for the drones to be intercepted.

“We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday, as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., echoed those comments during an appearance on NewsNation.

“We have the capability to shoot them now, but to do it in a place where there would not be any threat to anybody on the ground,” Smith said. “Just do it.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, joined New Jersey Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim in writing a letter this week asking for a briefing with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security “as soon as possible.”

Concerns cited by the senators include a medevac helicopter that was allegedly prevented from transporting a seriously injured patient to get help because of the drones.

The White House, as well as federal authorities, rejected a claim from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., that an Iranian mothership operated the drones.

While a group of New Jersey lawmakers met with state police and the Department of Homeland Security about them, some, like Republican New Jersey state Rep. Brian Bergen told NewsNation they were frustrated with the lack of answers provided.

“I walked out because it was it was worthless,” Bergen told NewsNation. “It was the biggest amateur hour presentation I’ve ever seen about anything. It was ridiculous. There were no answers. Every question that was asked by a member of the state legislature — great questions, no answers, no resolution. They don’t know where the drones are coming from.”

Drone sightings have now been reported in New York, where a permit is required, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city was investigating and collaborating with New Jersey and federal officials.

The runways at Stewart International Airport — about 60 miles north of the city — were shut down for about one hour Friday night because of drone activity in the airspace, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

“This has gone too far,” she said in a statement.

The governor called on Congress to strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones and give more investigative authority to state and local law enforcement.

“Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential,” she said. “Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people.”

What have military and law enforcement said about the drones?

In a call with reporters Saturday that was organized by the White House, senior officials from the FBI, Pentagon, FAA, and other agencies sought to assure people that the drones are not a threat.

An FBI official, who spoke on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said the public concern is understandable but added, “I think there has been a slight overreaction.”

The FBI opened an investigation in Newark and engaged over 50 partners, ultimately determining that most reported “drone sightings are mistaken and are actually manned aircrafts,” a DHS official said.

“At this point, we have not identified any basis for believing that there’s any criminal activity involved, that there’s any national security threat, that there’s any particular public safety threat or that there’s a malicious foreign actor involved in these drones,” a DHS official said.

Military installations like Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County, New Jersey, have reported multiple drone sightings. The Coast Guard also reported an incident where a rescue boat was followed closely by numerous drones.

The FAA has implemented temporary flight restrictions through Dec. 26, covering areas like Bedminster. However, officials said that drone flight below 400 feet is not inherently illegal if it doesn’t pose hazards to people or property.

The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.

“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones.

Ret. Maj. Gen. John F. Wharton, who consults with several government agencies, told NewsNation some issues need to be addressed considering where the drones are being spotted.

“I don’t think you need to engage kinetically and take these things down until you get a little more information from the government and all the other agencies,” Wharton said.

“However, I do think it is a concern that when you’re flying over critical infrastructure, dense urban environments that are important to national security, we have to be prepared and have to put the proper measures in place. It’s not going away.”

Shaun Golden, the sheriff of Monmouth County has urged Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency.

“We continue to urge our governor to press the federal government to put more … resources out here,” Golden said Thursday on “Dan Abrams Live.” “The only way we’re going to solve this is by the federal government coming in here and doing full investigations as to what these things are, how their movements are made.”

Golden is among of slew of authorities across the country who have warned people not to shoot down drones, which would break state and federal laws.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.