New Jersey State Senator Jon Bramnick is sounding the alarm after a series of mysterious drone sightings near military installations and sensitive sites in the Northeast. Frustrated by the lack of transparency from the US department of defense and state authorities, Bramnick described the situation as escalating into a “near insanity” level of uncertainty.
Appearing on NewsNation’s Morning in America, he expressed his concerns about the government’s response, or lack thereof, saying, “You think about a United States senator who has to go out with the local police to look for drones. That’s where the United States senator is getting information.”
Mystery in the skies: Drones or something else?
Drone sightings have been a source of growing anxiety among New Jersey residents, with numerous reports of unmanned aerial devices hovering near military facilities, including Picatinny Arsenal, a sensitive research center, and President-elect Donald Trump‘s Bedminster golf course. These observations spread across the state, including coastal regions and near critical infrastructure.
Despite frequent reports, the department of defense has remained tight-lipped, only stating that the drones do not pose a direct threat to public safety or national security. Bramnick, however, questioned whether the government is withholding information. “My guess is there is information, but they’re holding it back,” he said, adding, “And now what you have is panic… at the next point, somebody is going to do something stupid, so the Department of Defense has to come clean with the American public.”
On Thursday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby informed journalists that available evidence indicated many reported drone sightings were actually conventional aircraft. Several politicians have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response and limited public disclosure.
From when drones are spotted in New Jersey sky?
Numerous drone sightings have been documented in New Jersey since November 18, according to regional authorities. Initial observations occurred near the Raritan river, which connects to New Jersey’s largest water body, the Round Valley Reservoir, as reported by the Associated Press.
Sightings subsequently expanded across the state, including coastal regions. Objects were noticed near sensitive locations, including Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf facility.
Are drones allowed in New Jersey?
Drones are permitted in New Jersey for both recreational and commercial purposes, though operators must comply with local regulations and FAA guidelines, including specific flight restrictions, AP news agency reported.
In New York City, unmanned aircraft operators need a permit for takeoff and landing operations, and FAA certification is mandatory for all drone pilots.
Were drones seen in other areas?
Drone sightings have occurred in multiple locations, including Virginia. Near Virginia Beach, two witnesses observed an unusual aircraft on Thursday night. In neighbouring New York City, police confirmed multiple drone sightings over the Bronx on December 12, as reported to CBS News.
Law enforcement witnessed the objects overhead, though they quickly vanished. Additional sightings occurred across New York State, according to state police reports.
Connecticut authorities confirmed “suspicious drone activity” across various locations, implementing detection systems near Groton and New London.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan reported witnessing what appeared to be numerous drones above his Davidsonville residence, situated 40km from Washington DC.
“Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security,” he wrote on X. “But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government.”
Drones spotted over ocean
One observer, John Knight, recorded footage of what he described as a truck-sized drone moving above the ocean and an Army National Guard facility.
Knight noted the aircraft’s unique characteristics, stating it moved similarly to a helicopter but produced no sound. The Virginia National Guard confirmed no aircraft operations that night, with spokesperson A.A. “Cotton” Puryear indicating an ongoing investigation.
Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex and NAS Oceana’s public affairs officer, Katie Hewett, confirmed on Friday they are working with federal and state agencies regarding the sightings. Knight subsequently submitted his video evidence to the FBI.
In Harwich, Massachusetts, residents reported 10 to 15 luminous drones hovering above a residence on Thursday night, with one witness observing them for over an hour. That same evening, an off-duty officer noticed similar activity near a public safety complex. These incidents were reported to the FBI and Massachusetts State Police.
Recent drone activity was also documented in the United Kingdom, where the US Air Force identified several small unmanned aircraft near four American-operated military bases in England.
Growing panic and limited answers
The sightings first appeared near the Raritan River, which feeds into New Jersey’s largest water body, Round Valley Reservoir. The drones, described as flying with lights off and in a coordinated manner, have been difficult to track, as confirmed by both local police and state officials. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed temporary flight restrictions in these areas, including over Bedminster and Picatinny, but the sources and operators behind these drones remain unidentified.
In a Thursday briefing, White House national security spokesman John Kirby dismissed the claims of drone threats, suggesting that many reported sightings were, in fact, conventional aircraft. However, this has done little to quell public unease. U.S. officials have repeatedly downplayed concerns, asserting that the drones do not appear to be a national security threat, yet the lack of conclusive information is fueling public frustration.
Calls for FAA restrictions and accountability
Bramnick has called for stricter airspace regulations in New Jersey, urging the FAA to impose comprehensive restrictions on drone operations. He is not alone in his concerns—politicians from various states have criticized the federal government’s lack of transparency. “The public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government,” said former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who reported seeing drones near his residence.
In addition to the mystery in New Jersey, drone sightings have been reported across the US, including in Virginia, New York, Connecticut, and even in the U.K., where drones were seen near American military bases. Former Governor Hogan also questioned whether these sightings were linked to foreign actors, particularly China or Iran, though US officials have dismissed these claims as unsubstantiated.
Theories and speculation
As per reports by BBC, while federal officials continue to insist that there is no evidence to suggest foreign involvement, some lawmakers, like New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew, have speculated that the drones could be launched from an Iranian “mothership” in the Atlantic. However, the Pentagon swiftly denied these assertions, saying “There is no truth to that.” Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, on the other hand, hinted at the possibility of Chinese involvement, noting the high likelihood of data being collected by the drones.
While the origins remain unknown, the increasing frequency of sightings has led to calls for stronger measures, including potentially shooting down the drones for investigation. President-elect Trump also suggested shooting down the drones if their operators refuse to identify themselves, stating, “Let the public know, and now… otherwise, shoot them down.”
Legal concerns and state action
As the drone mystery deepens, state officials are urging the federal government to take action. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has called for greater cooperation between federal agencies and local law enforcement to address the growing threat. In a December 13 letter to President Joe Biden, Murphy also pushed for Congress to grant local law enforcement expanded counter-drone capabilities.
However, some residents have voiced frustration with the lack of progress and even suggested taking matters into their own hands. Online discussions have seen suggestions that citizens use firearms to disable drones, a notion that authorities strongly discourage as illegal and dangerous.
A national mystery with local consequences
As the investigation continues, the uncertainty surrounding the drone sightings shows no signs of abating. While the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have emphasized that there is no immediate risk to public safety, the lack of answers is leaving residents and lawmakers increasingly agitated. Until the origins of these mysterious flying objects are determined, the skies over New Jersey—and potentially other parts of the US—will remain a source of both intrigue and concern.