Federal response to mysterious drone sightings draws bipartisan criticism

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum on Sunday criticized the federal government’s response to mysterious drone sightings in the Northeast, as officials emphasize there is no evidence of a security threat.

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum on Sunday criticized the federal government’s response to mysterious drone sightings in the Northeast, as officials emphasize there is no evidence of a security threat. The criticism comes a day after the federal agencies leading the response held a news briefing that left reporters and the public with more questions than answers, as they downplayed but simultaneously legitimized concerns about the reported drones. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI offered attempts to dismiss or explain the source of the reported sightings, while also acknowledging their unusual nature. An FBI official pointed to similarities between flight patterns and the drone sightings, saying it’s “indicative of manned aviation being quite often mistaken for unmanned aviation or UAS,” referring to unmanned aircraft systems. That said, the official added, “There without a doubt — without a doubt — have been UAS flying over the state of New Jersey.” “We don’t know if it’s malicious, if it is criminal. But I will tell you that … it is irresponsible,” a Defense Department official said while discussing the reports of drones over two military sites in New Jersey. Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming national security adviser, took particular issue with drones reported over military sites and restricted air spaces, including near Trump’s home in Bedminster, New Jersey. “I think 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,” he told CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “It’s pointing to gaps in our capabilities and in our ability to clamp down on what’s going on here. We need to get to the bottom of it, and I think the Biden administration is working to do that.”