President Biden meets with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in January 2023 at the West Side Rail Yard in New York. Photo: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Friday requested that President Biden direct more resources to investigate the origins of mysterious drones spotted across several states since last month.
Why it matters: The letter comes as local and state officials have demanded the federal government provide more information and resources as they express safety concerns over the drones’ unknown origins.
- The drone sightings, beginning in November, have been reported in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and most recently Connecticut.
- The White House said the drones have not been involved in any malicious activity, and the Pentagon said they weren’t deployed by the U.S. military or an adversary.
What he’s saying: “It has become apparent that more resources are needed to fully understand what is behind this activity,” Murphy wrote.
- He said he’s directed the New Jersey State Police and the state’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to assist federal authorities “in any capacity.”
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said on Friday the state is coordinating with the FBI and Homeland Security.
Zoom out: Separately, Murphy called for better regulation of unmanned aircraft systems, like these drones, to help the state as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup Final in 2026.
- “I have supported your administration’s efforts in asking Congress to extend counter-UAS flexibilities to state and local law enforcement entities and to support additional funding for these activities,” he wrote.
Catch up quick: New Jersey and New York senators on Thursday requested a briefing from federal agencies by Dec. 23.
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who sits on the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Committee, said Thursday the drones should be shot down “if necessary,” especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases.
- Two New Jersey representatives had made similar calls.
Zoom in: Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Friday that he saw dozens of “large drones” in the sky above his Davidsonville, Maryland, home for about 45 minutes on Thursday night.
- “I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security,” he said 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.”
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