Last year, the United States was rocked by news of a Chinese spy balloon flying across the country. The U.S. finds itself engaged in a new aerial controversy as drones have been sighted over New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, but no other information has been provided. As Americans weigh the possibility of shooting down the drones, lawmakers warn that it's simply "unacceptable" to not address the issue.
Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D) shared information regarding the sightings on social media. Most recently, about 10-20 large drones were seen flying over LaGuardia airport and parts of New York City, which has left residents worried and calling 911. Drone sighting have also been reported in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but there's no information regarding the reason why the drones are flying, or who owns them.
The US governments lack of answers to these drones is unacceptable and continues down the line of concealment about #UAPs. https://t.co/6ueBuUtiF7
— Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) December 13, 2024
Because of this, Rep. Moskowitz has shared his disappointment, urging the government to do better to keep its citizens safe. "The US governments [sic] lack of answers to these drones is unacceptable and continues down the line of concealment about #UAPs," he wrote on X.
Other lawmakers have been more forthcoming with their responses, calling on the government to take matters into its own hands.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D), during an interview with WNYC, suggested that the government could shoot the drones to get more information. "The feds have that authority, and I'd like to seem them play a more robust role. I wouldn't be opposed to that. Let me put it that way."
However, experts argue that it is typically illegal to shoot down a drone that is flying over a property. In 2016, The Federal Aviation Administration told Forbes that shooting down a drone is illegal according to the same federal law that prohibits any other aircraft being sabotaged.
New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R) has offered some information regarding the drones, commenting that "very qualified" and "reliable" sources have said that the drones flying over New Jersey come from an Iranian "mother ship" that is parked off the U.S. East Coast.
The lead has yet to be confirmed.
