TRENTON, N.J. — Former New Jersey GOP Chairman and one-time gubernatorial candidate Doug Steinhardt called for decisive action regarding mysterious drone activity along the state’s coastline, suggesting that unidentified drones should be shot down if they are not American assets. Steinhardt expressed concerns over a lack of transparency from both state and federal authorities, emphasizing the potential risks to national security.
Speaking in an interview on Fox and Friends, Steinhardt criticized officials for dismissing the ongoing drone activity as non-threatening without providing detailed explanations. “If these are not American assets, then we need to get our assets into the air and blow one of these things out of the sky,” Steinhardt said. “Pick up the pieces and figure out what we’re dealing with, because quite frankly, we’re the United States of America. We need to do a better job here.”
The comments follow weeks of reports about unidentified drones near the New Jersey coast. The former GOP leader said the lack of information “breeds conspiracy theories” and public panic. Steinhardt noted New Jersey’s strategic importance as a “gateway state” with critical military, energy, and transportation infrastructure, further underscoring the need for answers.
A joint legislative session has been called to address the issue, with Steinhardt urging Governor Phil Murphy and federal agencies to provide clarity. “We’re asking questions, and there seems to be no transparency, no government accountability, no one standing up and asking the hard questions or demanding answers,” he said.
Drone expert Brett Velicovich told media outlets that the drones in question are not undetectable and could be intercepted with proper expertise. However, Steinhardt questioned why such expertise has yet to be deployed, calling the lack of action “irresponsible and dangerous.”
New Jersey residents are increasingly concerned about the activity, with many questioning why officials haven’t acted more aggressively. Steinhardt reiterated his call for transparency, stating that “simply saying we don’t know in 2024 in the United States of America is just unacceptable.”
The ongoing mystery of the New Jersey drones has left residents demanding answers as officials remain tight-lipped.