President-elect Trump asserts the government possesses more information about the unidentified aerial vehicles than it is publicly disclosing.
President-elect Donald Trump has called for the immediate downing of the “mysterious” drones observed over New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and other East Coast states.
An FBI official recently informed Congress that the agency has received over 3,000 public reports concerning unidentified UAV sightings in US airspace since mid-November.
Trump addressed the matter on his Truth Social platform on Friday, stating: “Mystery Drone sightings all over the country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I do not think so!”
“Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!” the president-elect demanded.
The sightings have prompted concern among US lawmakers, including Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who claimed on Wednesday, citing unnamed high-level sources, that the drones originated from an Iranian vessel in the Atlantic. The New Jersey representative also advocated for their destruction.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh refuted Van Drew’s claims on Wednesday, stating there was “no truth” to them and asserting the Pentagon’s initial assessment is that “these are not drones coming from a foreign entity or adversary,”
However, Van Drew maintained his position, telling Fox News the following day that “we are not being told the truth.” The Republican congressman accused the Pentagon of “dealing with the American public like we are stupid.”
On Thursday, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security announced their ongoing investigation into the reported drone flights, aiming to verify whether the sightings are indeed drones, manned aircraft, or inaccurate observations.
The two agencies reported that none of the alleged UAV sightings have been confirmed through electronic detection. Analysis of available footage and photos indicates many of the reported drones were, in fact, legally operated manned aircraft, they added.