Drone Sightings in New Jersey and New York Trigger Panic
Drone sightings in New Jersey and New York have triggered panic, with suspicions of an Iranian or Chinese ‘mothership’ at sea.
White House Insists Drones are Flying Legally
The White House insisted Monday that mystery drones which have caused a public panic in parts of the US were flying legally, after President-elect Donald Trump suggested there had been a government cover-up.
Trump Weighs In
Trump said the US government "knows what is happening" as he weighed in on the flurry of sightings over New Jersey and New York that have sparked something increasingly akin to mass panic.
Government Reassures Public
National security council spokesman John Kirby insisted the government was being "open and transparent," and said most sightings involved drones operating "legally and lawfully."
Assessment of Sightings
"We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones," Kirby told reporters.
No Security Risk Identified
"We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk."
Law Enforcement Officials Investigating
The assessment was made by law enforcement officials "having closely examined the data, having closely looked at the tips and collated them the best we can from concerned citizens," Kirby said.
Trump’s Claim of Government Cover-up
Trump, whose cabinet contains a number of conspiracy theorists on subjects including vaccines and foreign policy, weighed in on the topic as he gave his first full post-election press conference.
Trump’s Claims
"The government knows what is happening," he said at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, without offering any evidence to back up his claim.
"Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason they want to keep people in suspense."
Trump’s View on Drones
Trump, who is due to take office for his second term on Jan 20, said he didn’t think it was "the enemy" behind the drones "because if it was the enemy they’d blast it out."
Trump’s Drones at Bedminster, New Jersey
The Republican said some of the drones had been seen over his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, adding that he had abandoned plans to spend the weekend there as a result.
Government Response
After an initially slow response to the public fears, the White House has moved to get ahead of the news as the story about the drones makes headlines worldwide.
US Homeland Security Chief’s Claim
The US Homeland Security chief had insisted on Sunday in a special briefing that there was no security threat.
Senator Schumer’s Call for Action
But some criticism has come even from Biden’s own party, with top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer calling Sunday for action to make it easier for US authorities to "bring down" any drone seen to pose a threat.
Boston Police Arrest Two Men
Boston police announced Sunday that two Massachusetts men had been arrested the previous night for allegedly conducting a "hazardous drone operation" near the city’s Logan International Airport.
Conclusion
The drone sightings in New Jersey and New York have sparked widespread concern and speculation, with some claiming to have seen UFOs or foreign military aircraft. While the government has insisted that the drones are flying legally, the public remains skeptical, and the issue is likely to continue to make headlines in the coming days and weeks.
FAQs
Q: Are the drones flying legally?
A: Yes, according to the White House, most sightings involve drones operating "legally and lawfully."
Q: Is there a security risk from the drones?
A: No, according to the government, there is no national security or public safety risk.
Q: What is the government doing to address the issue?
A: The government is working to investigate the sightings and provide more information to the public.
Q: Will the government reveal more information about the drones?
A: The government has said it will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.