Drones latest: Conspiracies about purpose mount even as White House, Pentagon try to quell fears
The FBI has warned New Jersey residents to avoid shooting down or shining lasers at suspect unmanned aircraft systems after complaints from pilots
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Your support makes all the difference.Conspiracies about the mysterious spate of drone sightings have continued, fuelled by members of the Republican party, as the White House and Pentagon officials try to alleviate fears.
House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested on Wednesday that the Biden administration had brushed off concerns about the drones while providing no information as to their purpose. “This is why we need Donald J. Trump back in the White House, to bring a steady hand to the wheel and a strong commander-in-chief. He would have already had the answers,” he said during an episode of Fox and Friends.
Republican Representative Carlos Giménez of Florida told NewsNation he is most concerned that the government “hasn’t the faintest idea what’s going on with these drones” which, he claimed, “pose a threat.”
On Tuesday, Joe Biden insisted that there is “no sense of danger” surrounding drone sightings amid growing public demands for an explanation. “We’re following this closely, but so far no sense of danger,” he told reporters.
The mystery over the cluster of nightly drones that first appeared over areas of northern New Jersey in November has captivated the public and lawmakers. Some have theorized that the drones are a form of foreign surveillance, while others believe they could be searching for something.
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ICYMI: Many drone spottings could be cases of ‘mistaken identity,’ officials say
Some of the drone spottings across several states in the US could be cases of “mistaken identity,” with residents unknowingly reporting legally-operated small aircraft, DHS and FBI officials have said.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also said some drones could be commercial.
The FBI has received some 5,000 tips regarding drone activity, but fewer than 100 were “deemed worthy of further investigative activity.” an agency spokesperson said over the weekend.
Minnesota Senator calls for greater transparency from feds over drone sightings
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar called for increased transparency from federal officials on the mystery drone sightings across several states.
“One, we need a briefing for the members of the Senate to figure out what’s going on here,” Klobuchar told CBS News. “Two, we need more transparency.”
Members of the House Intelligence Committee are set to receive a classified briefing on the drones Tuesday, CNN reports.
Watch: DHS Secretary Mayorkas addresses drone sightings over New Jersey
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Biden admin is ‘in control of drones’ as MAGAworld pushes wild theories about mystery sightings
MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that the US government is “in control of the drones” that have been spotted over New Jersey and New York in recent weeks, which officials have so far been unable or unwilling to account for.
Greene, who is well known for amplifying online conspiracy theories, wrote on X late on Saturday night: “The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad.”
The congresswoman offered no evidence to support her claim but followed up with a second post, which went viral when it was shared by podcaster Joe Rogan, featuring a video from drone manufacturer John Ferguson.
Read more:
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Biden administration is ‘in control’ of mystery drones
Steve Bannon also blamed Joe Biden for the unidentified flying objects, claiming they are evidence of his administration ‘working against’ the incoming Trump administration
Video: Mysterious drone cluster lights up night sky in New Jersey
ICYMI: House Intelligence members expected to receive briefing Tuesday
Members of the House Intelligence Committee will receive a classified briefing Tuesday on the mysterious drone spottings, CNN reports.
Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the committee, told Fox News over the weekend he’s frustrated with the current lack of information.
“There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.”
“It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They aren’t Martians,” he added.
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