Biden administration downplays drone sightings as non-threat

16/12/2024 6:06

A raft of drone sightings

in New Jersey and other U.S. states has underscored gaps in U.S.

airspace security that need to be closed, President-elect Donald

Trump's pick for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on

Sunday.



President Joe Biden's outgoing administration has played

down concerns about a growing number of reported drone

sightings, saying most of them involve manned aircraft and

stressing that there is no evidence of any national security

threat.



But U.S. lawmakers, including some of Biden's fellow

Democrats, have expressed frustration the government is not

being more transparent and more aggressive in addressing public

concerns.



Waltz said Americans were growing frustrated with the

failure of Biden's administration to clarify what information

they have on the drone reports.



"What the drone issue points out are kind of gaps in our

agencies, gaps in our authorities between the Department of

Homeland Security, local law enforcement, the Defense

Department," Waltz told CBS News' Face the Nation.



"President Trump has talked about an Iron Dome for America,"

Waltz said, referring to Israel's missile defense system. "That

needs to include drones as well, not just adversarial actions

like hypersonic missiles."



Developed with U.S. backing, Israel's Iron Dome is a mobile

air defense system designed to intercept short-range rockets and

artillery shells that endanger populated areas.



The spate of reported drone sightings began in New Jersey in

mid-November but has spread in recent days to include Maryland,

Massachusetts and other U.S. states. The sightings have garnered

media attention and prompted creation of a Facebook page called

"New Jersey Mystery Drones - let's solve it" with nearly 70,000

online members.



Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the

U.S. response, saying his agency had deployed personnel and

technology.



"If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any

foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate

with the American public accordingly. Right now we are not aware

of any," Mayorkas told ABC News.



Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence

Committee, played down concerns that America's enemies would

send drones over U.S. cities when they can use satellites to

safely and easily surveil the U.S.



He said the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates

civilian airspace, should do more to allay public concerns.



"When people are anxious, when they're nervous ...people

will fill a vacuum with their fears and anxieties," Himes said.



Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar urged the Biden

administration to hold a briefing for senators to explain

"what's going on here."



"We need more transparency," Klobuchar said.



She also called for a look at regulation.



"Because this just can't be: 'No one knows why this huge

drone is right over their house.'"