The reason for the mysterious drone activity that caused widespread concern across several U.S. states will be revealed on January 20, President-elect Trump announced during a recent meeting with Republican governors.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “I’m going to give you a report on drones about one day into the administration because I think it’s ridiculous that they’re not telling you about what’s going on with the drones.” pic.twitter.com/BnUBaAsBl6
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 10, 2025
Newsweek reports:
The Biden administration has faced criticism for an apparent lack of transparency after numerous drone sightings were reported in states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut at the end of 2024. These sightings raised concerns about security threats and speculation of foreign involvement.
The president-elect replied that he will deliver a report on drones “about one day” into his new term, adding that it is “ridiculous” the current government is allegedly withholding information.
The Pentagon, FAA, FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have all downplayed suggestions that the drones pose a security risk.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a December press conference that there are more than a million drones registered with the FAA in the U.S., and more than 8,000 drones are legally flown every day.
“We are home to the largest naval base in the world in Quantico,” GOP Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who was seated next to the incoming president at the event, told reporters. “And we also have a lot of the [Navy SEAL] teams and have a huge national security infrastructure and now for two years running, we have had drone incursion over secure airspace and we still don’t know why. And I think that’s absolutely unacceptable.”
Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry joined Youngkin in complaining about the lack of transparency: “While we were dealing with a terrorist attack in New Orleans we had drones being flown over our nuclear reactors in Louisiana, and we brought that attention to the [Federal Aviation Administration]. We’ve been asking the FAA to give states the ability to mitigate these drones.”
“It is sitting on some bureaucrats desk, and that’s real,” the governor said.
The incidents, which involved swarms of drones maneuvering in coordinated patterns, led to a range of theories, from corporate testing to foreign surveillance. Local residents, law enforcement, and government officials were perplexed as sightings occurred almost nightly for several weeks. Officials familiar with the investigation noted that the drones’ size, speed, and precise movements ruled out casual or recreational use.
The episode underscored the ongoing difficulties of monitoring and regulating drone activity within American airspace.
