Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appeared on CNN on Friday and sought to downplay concerns about the presence of drones in New Jersey’s airspace.
Monaka exterior Mayorkas discussed the drone sightings in New Jersey on “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” saying the drones were likely consumer-grade and not a threat. Mayorkas also said that U.S. security personnel are dedicated to the security of the country.
“Of course, there is a good chance that there are drones flying in the sky, but they are commercially available. You can go to a convenience store and buy a small drone. “There is no known activity,” Mayorkas said.
Mayorkas said his department does not have the authority to respond to drone sightings.
“Not just anyone can simply shoot down a drone in the sky. That in itself would be dangerous. Our powers are very limited. That’s exactly why we need Congress to expand those powers. That’s why we went to the U.S. Coast Guard in a maritime environment,” Mayorkas told Blitzer when asked if he had the authority to shoot down drones.
In response to a question about the federal government’s ability to respond, Mayorkas said that while the United States has certain powers through agencies such as the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and Customs and Border Protection, the authority to intervene is limited and each agency said that it was specific to the mission.
“Certainly you can’t launch a drone out of the sky. We believe there are cases where a drone is actually a small aircraft and people mistakenly perceive it as such,” Mayorkas said.
The appearance of unidentified drones in New Jersey’s skies has raised concerns among residents, and the FBI is investigating these mysterious occurrences. Speculation has swirled about the drone, with some locals suggesting it could be a foreign espionage tool or surveillance device aimed at President-elect Donald Trump, The Daily Caller and CBS News reported. It is said that there is. (Related: ‘That guy is an idiot’: New Jersey congressman slams John Kirby after hearing answers about drone waves)
” [drone] “Sightings in and around Morristown are becoming increasingly alarming,” witness Lauren North told the Daily Caller. “It started with a few people posting their sightings in a Facebook group, but now it’s been seen by almost everyone in town.”
Earlier today, first responders in New Jersey were told to call the bomb squad and wear protective gear if they see a mysterious drone.
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