The White House says many of New Jersey’s ‘drone’ sightings are legally manned aircraft.

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby claimed Thursday that many of the drone footage Seen on New Jersey For the past several weeks there have actually been legally operating human aircraft.

“We have no evidence at this time that the drone reports pose a threat to national security or public safety, or that there is a foreign nexus,” Kirby told reporters at the daily White House press briefing. “Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and The FBI is investigating. These sightings, and they are working with state and local law enforcement agencies to provide resources using multiple detection methods to better understand their origins.”

“Using the most sophisticated electronic detection technologies provided by federal authorities, we have not been able, nor have state or local law enforcement authorities, to confirm any reported sightings,” Kirby said. coins,” Kirby said. “To the contrary, upon review of the available imagery, it appears that many of the reported aircraft are in fact manned aircraft being operated legally. The United States Coast Guard provided assistance to the State of New Jersey. has been, and has confirmed that there is, no evidence of alien involvement by coastal ships and, importantly, no reports of drone sightings in any restricted airspace. ”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Brian Harrell, former DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection under the Trump administration, said Kirby missed an important opportunity to build trust with the public.

“The government has a unique opportunity here to build trust with the American people, and they’re dropping the ball,” Harrell said. “Yes, additional authorities are needed; however, we have the tools and radar capabilities today to understand the details of these drones. While I don’t think foreign countries are involved, it’s clear to me that Government or contractors are testing capabilities.”

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Kirby appeared to give the money to Congress, calling on lawmakers to “expand existing countermeasures authorities” in recognition of the potential threat of unmanned aircraft.

“We certainly take seriously the threat that unmanned aircraft systems can pose, which is Why Law Enforcement? And other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports, although they have not uncovered any malicious activity or intent at this particular stage,” Kirby said Thursday, citing the differences in authorities. highlight, and so we request significant legislation from Congress that would extend and expand existing counterdrone authorities so that we are better prepared to identify and mitigate any potential.airports or other critical Threats to infrastructure and therefore state And local authorities are given all the tools they need to respond to such threats.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on Thursday decried the lack of information coming out of the White House.

“We should do some much-needed intelligence analysis and get them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Blumenthal said, according to The Independent. “The Biden administration should act more aggressively against the drones that have been reported. If only the American people would know who owns them, who is flying them, what they are. Lack of information. Absolutely unacceptable.”

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Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy And while law enforcement officials have emphasized that the reported drones are not a threat to public safety, many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules on who can fly unmanned aircraft. can The FBI is among several agencies investigating, and has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information about the drones.

First, the drones were seen flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds the state’s largest reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir, about 50 miles west of New York City.

But sightings were soon reported across the state, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and on President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, according to the Associated Press.

Aircraft have also been spotted in coastal areas recently.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, RNJ, said a Coast Guard commanding officer told him that a dozen drones near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County over the weekend closely followed a Coast Guard lifeboat. pursued

During a congressional hearing on the matter, FBI Assistant Director Robert Wheeler testified that the bureau did not know who was responsible for the drones seen in New Jersey in recent weeks, the Asbury Park Press reported. Smith said he was told by officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst that he was not authorized by the Department of Defense to shoot down the unidentified aircraft following his boats and retrieve them for analysis.

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In one Interview with Fox NewsSmith said he had written to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin seeking permission.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.