WASHINGTON, D.C. — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas dismissed concerns over a series of mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and other areas of the country on Friday, countering recent calls by President-elect Donald Trump to either “shoot them down” or reveal more information about their origins.
“We haven’t seen anything unusual. We know of no threat,” Mayorkas said during an interview with CNN, where he underscored that the government is monitoring the situation but has found no evidence of nefarious activity. Trump, in a post on his social media platform earlier this week, claimed the government was withholding critical information and wrote, “Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”
Mayorkas emphasized that the government lacks the sweeping authority to intercept or destroy unidentified drones and has been pushing Congress for expanded jurisdiction. “It’s not as though anyone can just take down a drone in the sky — that in and of itself would be dangerous,” he said, adding that existing authorities are limited to specific federal missions, such as those involving border security or the Secret Service.
The remarks come amid growing unease in New Jersey, where residents and local lawmakers have reported unexplained drone activity. Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a Republican from New Jersey, criticized the federal response, saying, “They haven’t taken one down to analyze it. They have no idea where it comes from, but they know that it’s not [a threat]? That’s nonsense. They do not know what they’re doing.”
Mayorkas defended the expertise of federal officials, urging caution against misidentifying small commercial drones or aircraft. “We believe there are cases of mistaken identity where drones are actually small aircraft,” he said, reiterating that no evidence suggests these sightings pose a danger. He assured that if any credible threats emerge, the government will communicate transparently with the public.
As sightings continue to spark public concern, Mayorkas reaffirmed, “Our authorities need to keep up with the technological advances,” but he cautioned against jumping to conclusions.
New Jersey State Senator John Bramnick, who is running for governor said it is comedy that U.S. Senator Andy Kim had to go with local police to confirm what everyone else in New Jersey has been seeing.
Bramnick wants a state of emergency declared, because the Department of Defense has no information about, “car sized drones flying over our military bases.”