New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says the federal government has the authority to shoot down a mysterious drone spotted flying over his state and will play a “stronger role” in the issue. “I have no intention of opposing it,” he said.
Murphy made the remarks in an interview with WNYC as the public and lawmakers remain confused about the source of the large drones. Rep. Chris Smith (R.N.J.) told Fox News this week that the Coast Guard commander said “one of the 47-foot vessels, a boat, was pursued very closely by more than a dozen drones. “It was done,” he said.
When an interviewer suggested that authorities could shoot down one of the drones for further investigation, Murphy said, “The federal government has that authority, and I would like to see the Fed play a stronger role.'' I don't think so.” I'm against that. ”
“I just want you guys out there to know, listen, you're frustrated, and so are we. But…we're going to keep it going, I promise you, “This is our top priority. But based on everything we know,” and obviously, it's primarily based on the federal government's opinion, but if that changes, we'll take it from the mountaintop. I’m going to shout it,” Murphy said.
Dozens of drones track Coast Guard ship off New Jersey coast: Lawmakers
Photo taken on Sunday, December 8, 2024 in the Bayshore neighborhood of Toms River. What appears to be a large drone is seen hovering over the New Jersey area at high altitude. The drone appeared to be well above the 400 feet height allowed by FAA regulations. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
Democrats said the state is looking into all theories as to what the source of the drone may have been.
“I rely overwhelmingly on federal experts who do this for a living. There is no evidence that anything is armed,” he said. “Several theories exist. Again, we don't take anything off the table, even if someone says something crazy with no evidence at all. We thoroughly review everything. I've been looking into it.”
New Jersey drone sightings: military analyst shoots down national security concerns, suspects hobbyists were involved
On December 5th, multiple drones were spotted over Bernardsville, New Jersey. (Brian Glenn/TMX/AP)
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R.N.J.) said Wednesday that “very qualified” and “reliable” sources say the mysterious drone flying over New Jersey is an Iranian aircraft anchored off the U.S. East Coast. He said he believed it was coming from the “mother ship” of the United States.
But Murphy called this a “wild claim” and added: “The last thing we need is to incite fear in some members of Congress.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy spoke at a news conference in Newark in August. “There are several theories,” he said this week. “We are looking into everything thoroughly.” (AP/Eduardo Muñoz Alvarez)
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“There's a sense that we know more than we say. In some ways, I wish I could say the answer is yes. [but] We are not. And I believe in the federal government. “If this is an action by the U.S. government, I would be the most surprised person in the state,” he concluded.
Fox News' Maria Paronich and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
