A series of mysterious drone sightings Lawmakers on the East Coast are scrambling for solutions to an unknown problem and federal agencies are “scrambling in” to figure out what’s going on, Trump’s likely incoming national security adviser said Sunday.
“We need to know who’s behind it,” said Rep. Mike Waltz, a Florida Republican who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser. “But right now, I think law enforcement seems to be … the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are doing this and targeting each other.”
Speaking on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan“On Sunday, Waltz said he believes the drone issue, which has sparked outcry and demands for answers from civilians and leaders, highlights the lack of authority between local law enforcement and federal agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Department of National Security.
“I think Americans have a hard time believing that we can’t figure out where they’re coming from,” he added. “It’s pointing to gaps in our capabilities and our ability to crack down on what’s going on here. And we need to get to the bottom of it.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, echoed the congressman’s concern in a separate interview Sunday on “Face the NationIn addition to a briefing for members of the Senate to discuss the situation, he also called for “more transparency” and “new regulatory rules” for the use of drones.
“We need to figure out, do we really want all these drones? Because while these may be safe, who knows what will happen in the future?” Klobuchar said. “They have to be within 400 feet [from the ground]so what will these things be? Do you fly over people’s family picnics and over their homes and beaches? This will not be a good future if we see too much of it.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, announced Sunday that he is working to pass a bill in the Senate that would give local authorities more resources for drone detection. He also asked Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to implement drone detection technology in New York and New Jersey.
“The laws about where and when and who can fly drones are pretty limited. This legislation will help,” Schumer said at a briefing. “We’ve spoken to Homeland Security and the FBI and told them we need answers quickly.”
Amid comments from lawmakers, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told ABC’s “This Week” Sunday that he had seen drones from his home.
“Two mornings ago, at my house at 6:15 in the morning, I saw them myself,” Christie said. “So did my wife, so yes, they’re there. And I’ve been traveling around New Jersey, like I usually do, all week. And I can’t tell you the number of people who have been worrying about it. .”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul he said Sunday that his state would receive a drone detection system from the federal government.
“I’m grateful for the support, but we need more. Congress needs to pass legislation that gives us the power to deal directly with drones,” the governor said in a statement.
Drones have been spotted in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other eastern states, sometimes flying near military installations, as well as near Trump’s golf course in Bedminister, New Jersey. A federal official said Thursday that the FBI was leading the investigation into the sightings. An FBI official told CBS News the same day that the agency had received several thousand tips and local law enforcement was also investigating.
Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey suggested last week that there was an Iranian “mothership” off the US East Coast launching the drones, which Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh denied.
Two people were arrested Saturday night in Boston on trespassing charges, after police say they were involved in a “dangerous drone operation.” CBS Boston reported. An officer spotted a drone flying near Logan Airport and found the drone’s location, altitude and flight history to trace the machine to its apparent operators, Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, reportedly. boston police.