New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) joined a growing number of calls for the Biden administration and lawmakers to take action over mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and other parts of the country. Ta.
“To enable state law enforcement agencies to address this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Anti-UAS Authority Safety, Security, and Reauthorization Act,” Hochul wrote on Saturday. Ta. in a statementwith reference to law It expands the authority of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address threats from unmanned aircraft systems, as well as adds oversight powers to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“It is imperative that these powers be extended to New York and other states. Until these powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration will direct additional federal law enforcement agencies to New York and surrounding areas. “We need to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure and the public,” he added.
The push comes amid an increase in sightings in New Jersey and New York, according to Philadelphia's WPVI-TV. multiple reports Number of flying objects within Delaware and Philadelphia counties. The Pentagon denied on Wednesday that a foreign country was behind a mysterious drone that also flew near sensitive U.S. military facilities.
Lawmakers from the northeastern part of the country, where the drones have reportedly been sighted, sent a letter Thursday to the FBI, DHS and FAA demanding clarification about the drones.
New Jersey Congressman Mike Inganamort (R) also called on the Biden administration to take action to combat the proliferation of drones.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested the allegedly sighted drones were not “vicious” or “a threat,” echoing White House comments from earlier this week.
Mayorkas told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Friday: “We have no knowledge of any threats or heinous activity. Mr. Wolf, I want to reiterate that if we learn of cause for concern, we will communicate transparently. I'll take it.''
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump called on authorities to shoot down the drone and suggested the government needed to know more about the mysterious sightings.
“Mysterious drones have been sighted all over the country. Is this really happening without our government knowing?” he wrote on Friday, “I don't think so!”
“Let the people know right now,” he added. “Otherwise, [shoot] Defeat them!!!”
