A New Jersey state senator is asking Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency grounding all drones as a way to get to the bottom of continued reports of unmanned aircraft swarming the Garden State in recent weeks.
Republican state Sen. John Bramnick said Saturday on “Kabuto Live” that the FAA will also join in declaring a state of emergency amid growing public frustration over lack of answers about what's happening in the skies. He said he wanted it.
Bramnick said he contacted Murphy about the state of emergency, but did not receive a response.
State Sen. John Bramnick is calling for a limited state of emergency following reports of mysterious drone sightings. (Bobby Bank/Getty Images, left, Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press, right)
Drone mystery baffles New Jersey officials and frustrates residents
“I remained silent, but I met with state police and they (police) have no information. Can you imagine? If not, the Pentagon must have some serious secrets.'' ”
Since mid-November, New Jersey has been on high alert after a series of sightings of unidentified drones near U.S. military facilities and residences, including President-elect Trump's Bedminster golf course. Apparently unmanned aircraft have also been sighted in New York City, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, as well as at least three U.S. air bases in the United Kingdom.
John Kirby, the White House National Security Advisor, said many purported drone sightings are actually legally operated manned aircraft that pose a threat to national security or public safety. He said there was no evidence to show that.
A map showing some of the locations where mysterious drones were sighted in the northeastern United States in December 2024. (Fox News)
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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Friday that the government does not have the authority to shoot down drones and believes some sightings are the result of mistaken identity.
The apparent lack of transparency regarding the situation has fueled conspiracy theories and raised national security concerns that a foreign entity may be behind the mysterious sightings.
The government's rejection of witness reports has also frustrated residents who believe the government's response is insufficient. Some take matters into their own hands and threaten to shoot themselves.
“Every time someone comes out of a secret conference, they give the same answer,” Bramnick said. “They say, 'Well, we need more information,' but apparently it's not a threat. Now, I don't know how they figure that out. The Pentagon must be talking to someone. No, because they certainly don't talk to any countries.''I live in New Jersey. ”
Photo taken on Sunday, December 8, 2024 in the Bayshore neighborhood of Toms River. What appears to be a large drone hovering over the area at high altitude in New Jersey. The drone appeared to have an altitude of 400 feet, far exceeding the FAA regulations allowing. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
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“The Department of Defense needs to explain why it doesn't know what a car-sized drone is doing, where it's coming from and where it's going. Is it evil? Is it some kind of threat? “Don't you think so?'' The Ministry of Defense should have that information, right? ”
Bramnick says the state doesn't have the proper equipment or resources to deal with drones. He noted that there are only two state helicopters in the Garden State, and one of them was sent to investigate the drone when its lights went out and it fled.
“This shows that the drones aren't here for good purposes, otherwise I think someone operating the drones would report to state police what they're doing. That's why we have to stop all drones at this time,” Bramnick added. .
