WASHINGTON, D.C. — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed growing public concern over increased drone activity at night, linking the rise to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule change 15 months ago that permitted drones to fly after dark.
“In September of 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA, changed the rules so that drones could fly at night,” Mayorkas said, explaining the spike in drone sightings, particularly during the hours from dusk to dawn.
Mayorkas assured the public that federal authorities are “on it,” working in close coordination with state and local officials to address the situation. However, he emphasized that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lacks the necessary authority to fully regulate drone use.
NEW: Alejandro Mayorkas says people in New Jersey are seeing so many drones at night because the FAA allowed drones to fly at night 15 months ago.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 15, 2024
The gaslighting continues.
Mayorkas said the government is “on it” in regards to the drones before claiming they didn’t have the… pic.twitter.com/zaWUn5bdqH
“It is critical, as we all have said for a number of years, that we need from Congress, additional authorities to address the drone situation,” Mayorkas said, urging lawmakers to provide the federal government with expanded regulatory powers.
The FAA’s 2023 rule change allowed drones to fly at night as long as they are equipped with anti-collision lighting, a move that experts said would expand the commercial use of drones but has also sparked concerns over privacy, safety, and security.
Officials continue to monitor the increase in drone activity as they push for legislative solutions to bolster oversight.