Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the federal government is still struggling to track drone sightings, but is confident law enforcement will eventually solve the problem.
“I think the federal government is still struggling to solve this problem at this point,” Johnson, who served during the Obama administration, told Fox News on Monday.
He pointed to the recent arrest of Luigi Mangioni in connection with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, adding that it was not a question of resources.
“Look, we have the law enforcement capabilities to track down this person who appears to have shot and killed Brian Thompson in the next few days and locate him in Altoona, Pennsylvania. We have the ability to provide an Iron Dome capability to shoot down,” Johnson continued. “We have the ability to solve this.”
“We also believe that if governments at the federal and state levels are sufficiently focused and provide resources, time and attention, it will be a matter of time,” he added.
“There is no evidence of anything other than what I and other New Jerseyans are seeing in the sky,” Johnson said.
“There are a lot of people in the Northeast right now looking up at the sky and focusing on things they don't normally pay attention to, so of course we're going to see a few thousand sightings,” he said.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday there was “no question” that the drone sightings were genuine, but his officials had not seen evidence of foreign involvement.
“There's no question that people are looking at drones,” Mayorkas said. “And I want to assure the American people that the federal government is committing additional resources, personnel, and technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in responding to drone sightings.”
He also said there are several explanations for the increase in sightings.
“Let me set the record straight here,” Mayorkas said. “Thousands of drones fly every day in the United States, both recreational and commercial. That's the reality.”
“And in September 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, changed its rules to allow drones to fly at night,” he continued. “That may be one reason why people are seeing more drones now than ever before, especially from dawn to dusk. And that's the reality.”
