A wave of unease is sweeping across the eastern United States as residents report repeated sightings of unidentified drones. Citizens are increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as a lackluster response from authorities, who maintain that these aerial phenomena pose no significant threat to public safety.
According to the Financial Times, on Saturday, the White House, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) held a joint press conference. Officials stated that the recent surge in drone sightings likely resulted from misidentifications of manned aircraft. An FBI representative noted that these reports tend to cluster around flight paths near local airports.
The eastern United States has several sizable international airports, such as LaGuardia Airport, Newark Airport in New Jersey, and JFK Airport in New York.
While the number of reported unidentified drone sightings has reached 5,000, the FBI clarifies that fewer than 100 cases warranted further investigation.
The FBI explains that although there have been over 5,000 reports of unidentified drone sightings, less than 100 have been determined to require investigation.
Despite these assurances, public anxiety is mounting. Speculation is rife that hostile nations like Iran might be deploying drones, fueling growing dissatisfaction with government authorities. Since last month, coastal communities in New Jersey and other eastern states have been abuzz with rumors of Iranian drones appearing from the Atlantic.
In a startling development, James Dodd, mayor of Dover in northern New Jersey, lambasted the authorities’ claim that drone reports were misidentified aircraft as “shocking.” Dodd criticized the apparent inconsistency, stating, “The United States can intercept missiles from 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) away, yet we cannot even identify the source of these drones.”
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan added to the controversy by reporting recent sightings of dozens of large drones over his residence. He expressed that the public is deeply concerned and frustrated by the federal government’s lack of transparency and apparent indifference.
In response to the growing unrest, President-elect Donald Trump took to social media, declaring that if the federal government cannot disclose the true nature of these drones to the public, they should be shot down.