A New Jersey senator on Tuesday called for a limited state of emergency to be declared as the mystery surrounding large drones flying over the Garden State deepens.
“New Jersey should issue a limited state of emergency banning all drones until the public is informed about these multiple sightings,” New Jersey Republican Sen. John Bramnick said in a press release. said.
Reports of large drones flying near President-elect Trump's Bedminster golf course and a military research facility in New Jersey have increased in recent weeks. Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that there were dozens of reports of drones on Sunday alone.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that the drone flying over New Jersey was not foreign, saying President Biden was aware of the situation and that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI were investigating. He added that he is doing so.
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A drone was spotted over North Jersey on Tuesday. (Nicholas Lordi)
“So we are certainly aware, the President is aware, and we are closely tracking this activity and working closely with relevant agencies, including DHS and the FBI, to investigate these incidents.” It continues,” Jean-Pierre said, adding that he had no information. Anything else you can share. “Obviously, this is something that DHS and the FBI are tracking very closely.”
Asked whether the federal government had ruled out that the drones were controlled by a foreign entity, Jean-Pierre quickly replied, “Yes.”
The Federal Aviation Administration first received reports of drone activity on Nov. 18 in Morris County, about three miles north of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County.
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New Jersey Drone Sightings Map (Fox & Friends/Screenshot)
Since then, sightings have occurred in Mendham and Parsippany, a few miles north of Bedminster, and other locations across the Garden State.
Murphy said Monday there were 49 reports of drones on Sunday, most of them in Hunterdon County. The Democratic governor said his numbers include possible sightings and the possibility that the same drone has been reported multiple times.
The state's federal lawmakers have expressed some level of concern about drones, regardless of which side of the aisle they stand on.
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“My office is in contact with Governor Murphy's office and our federal agency partners,” Sen. Cory Booker (D.N.J.) said in a post on X. We will continue to closely monitor the situation. ”
Booker also sent a letter Tuesday to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asking for greater transparency and a comprehensive explanation of drone activity over New Jersey. Ta.
“Over the past several weeks, we have observed multiple instances of unexplained drone activity over communities and military installations in New Jersey,” Booker wrote. “I recognize the need to maintain the operational security of ongoing investigations and that this situation requires complex coordination between government agencies.
“However, despite assurances that drones pose no known threat to public safety, there is a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency from voters and local government officials alike across the state. We therefore strongly encourage you to share any relevant information about these drones.''Without transparency, I believe rumors, fear, and misinformation will continue to spread. ”
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Senator Cory Booker speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv on October 22, 2023. (Gil Cohen Magen/AFP via Getty Images)
Congressman Jeff Van Drew (RN.J.) said in a statement to FOX News Digital that recent drone sightings in New Jersey are “not just scary for our residents.” They point to the need for change in the state and the U.S.
“There is no transparency with the public and the lack of communication is unacceptable,” Van Drew said. “Voters are being told that drones are not a threat, but no further information is being provided. People need and demand answers now to stop worrying about their safety and privacy. and it's worth it.”
Amid growing concerns, Robert Wheeler, deputy director of the FBI's Major Incident Response Group, told Congress that the federal agency has not done anything concerning about the mysterious drone seen hovering over New Jersey. He said he didn't know.
Asked if Americans were in danger, Wheeler said: “There's nothing known to say that, but we just don't know. That's the concerning part.” said.
The FBI is investigating the incident and is asking the public for additional information.
The FAA confirmed earlier this month that it had issued two flight restrictions in response to reports of suspicious drone activity near President Trump's Bedminster Golf Club.
In response to requests from “federal security partners,” authorities issued two temporary flight restrictions.
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One of the restrictions is the area near the Solberg-Hunterdon County Airport, which includes the area over Trump Bedminster. Flights over Picatinny Arsenal, a major U.S. Army base in Dover, New Jersey, for research and development through the CCDCAC Weapons Center, were also prohibited.
The ban on Trump Bedminster lasted until last week, and the ban on Picatinny Arsenal will continue until December 26th.
Fox News Digital's Charles Creitz and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
