Drone sightings across U.S. states spark security concerns, highlighting airspace vulnerabilities as officials and lawmakers call for transparency and action to address public anxieties.
A raft of drone sightings in New Jersey and other U.S. states has underscored gaps in U.S. airspace security that need to be closed, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Sunday.
President Joe Biden's outgoing administration has played down concerns about a growing number of reported drone sightings, saying most of them involve manned aircraft and stressing that there is no evidence of any national security threat.
But U.S. lawmakers, including some of Biden's fellow Democrats, have expressed frustration the government is not being more transparent and more aggressive in addressing public concerns.
Waltz said Americans were growing frustrated with the failure of Biden's administration to clarify what information they have on the drone reports.
"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," Waltz told CBS News' Face the Nation.
"President Trump has talked about an Iron Dome for America," Waltz said, referring to Israel's missile defense system. "That needs to include drones as well, not just adversarial actions like hypersonic missiles."
Developed with U.S. backing, Israel's Iron Dome is a mobile air defense system designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells that endanger populated areas.
The spate of reported drone sightings began in New Jersey in mid-November but has spread in recent days to include Maryland, Massachusetts and other U.S. states. The sightings have garnered media attention and prompted creation of a Facebook page called "New Jersey Mystery Drones - let's solve it" with nearly 70,000 online members.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the U.S. response, saying his agency had deployed personnel and technology.
"If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly. Right now we are not aware of any," Mayorkas told ABC News.
Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, played down concerns that America's enemies would send drones over U.S. cities when they can use satellites to safely and easily surveil the U.S.
He said the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates civilian airspace, should do more to allay public concerns.
"When people are anxious, when they're nervous ...people will fill a vacuum with their fears and anxieties," Himes said.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar urged the Biden administration to hold a briefing for senators to explain "what's going on here."
"We need more transparency," Klobuchar said.
She also called for a look at regulation.
"Because this just can't be: 'No one knows why this huge drone is right over their house.'"
Chinese scientists have unveiled a new gene-editing therapy that they say could lead to a functional cure for HIV, making it one of the most promising...
South Korean prosecutors have requested a 15-year prison sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who is on trial for bribery, stock manipulation ...
Serbia’s parliament has adopted a 2026 budget that sets a 3 % deficit and reserves 164 billion dinars (about $1.6 billion) for a potential state tak...
Salvador Nasralla of Honduras’ centrist Liberal Party has taken a razor-thin lead over conservative rival Nasry Asfura, the candidate backed by U.S....
Talks in Malaysia between top diplomats from Russia and the United States were described by the Russian Foreign Ministry as "substantive and frank" with both sides confirming their interest in seeking peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Senior officials from the United States and Georgia met in Tbilisi to review bilateral relations and regional security amid ongoing diplomatic discussions.
Iran has condemned the U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations as “meaningless” after Israel’s largest strike on Iranian targets, accusing Washington of backing the attack. The planned sixth round of talks faces uncertainty amid escalating tensions.
A four-part docuseries executive produced by Curtis '50 cent' Jackson and directed by Alexandria Stapleton on Netflix is at the centre of controversy online.
Russia has claimed a decisive breakthrough in the nearly four-year war, with the Kremlin announcing the total capture of the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk just hours before United States mediators were due to arrive in Moscow.
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed critical issues surrounding Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, the role of American mediation, and European involvement during a press conference on Monday, reaffirming France’s commitment to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and ensuring peace in the region.
Venezuela is facing mounting diplomatic and economic isolation as regional governments, airlines and international bodies react to escalating tensions between Caracas and Washington.
French President Emmanuel Macron is in China for his fourth state visit, as Europe tries to balance economic dependence on the world’s second-largest economy.
South Korean prosecutors have requested a 15-year prison sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who is on trial for bribery, stock manipulation and fundraising offences, with a verdict due on 28 January.
Serbia’s parliament has adopted a 2026 budget that sets a 3 % deficit and reserves 164 billion dinars (about $1.6 billion) for a potential state takeover of oil firm NIS.
Hostage remains handed over by Hamas on Tuesday were found not to belong to the last two Israeli captives in Gaza, according to the office of Israel’s prime minister, after forensic teams completed their examination.
Salvador Nasralla of Honduras’ centrist Liberal Party has taken a razor-thin lead over conservative rival Nasry Asfura, the candidate backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, in a presidential election marred by delays and allegations of fraud.
The core United Nations (UN) budget could be cut by $577 million next year under a proposal from UN's Secretary-General António Guterres, who is also seeking to eliminate more than 18% of jobs.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment