Biden’s White House is downplaying reports of unauthorized drone activity over military installations in New Jersey. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby firmly denied any confirmed incursions, dismissing more than 3,000 reports of “car-sized drones” as mistaken sightings of helicopters or airplanes.
Kirby assured the press, stating:
“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they’re working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin.”
He continued:
“Using very sophisticated electronic detection technologies provided by federal authorities, we have not been able to, and neither have state or local law enforcement authorities, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings. To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully.”
Additionally, Kirby stated that the U.S. Coast Guard is supporting New Jersey’s efforts and confirmed there is no evidence of any foreign-based involvement. He emphasized that there were no confirmed drone sightings in restricted airspace.
However, this directly contradicts statements from military officials at New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, who have confirmed several drone breaches. According to NJ.com, Picatinny Arsenal has confirmed at least 11 drone incursions, and Naval Weapons Station Earle reported two separate incidents of drones entering their airspace.
John Kirby on drone activity in and around New Jersey: "We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus… We have not been able to…corroborate any of the reported visual sightings." pic.twitter.com/xfxFaJQUaN
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 12, 2024
“We are aware and monitoring the reports of unauthorized drone flights in the vicinity of military installations in New Jersey, including Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle,” a spokesperson said. “Local law enforcement and the FBI are currently investigating. U.S. Northern Command conducted a deliberate analysis of the events, and at this time, we have not been requested to assist with these events.”
Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart criticized Kirby’s statement, writing on X, “This statement from White House National Security Spokesman Adm Kirby is in direct contradiction to a statement issued by the NJ Picatinny Arsenal base commander. Adm. Kirby says there’s been NO reported or confirmed ‘drone’ incursions in restricted airspace. Yet, the base says there’s been 11 confirmed. Why would a White House spokesman recklessly issue such a misleading and false claim?”
The conflicting statements have sparked outrage from lawmakers in New York and New Jersey, who are now demanding a federal briefing on the incidents. Many are concerned that the administration is either dismissing or downplaying potential security breaches at critical military installations.
This statement from White House National Security Spokesman Adm Kirby is in direct contradiction to a statement issued by the NJ Picatinny Arsenal base commander. Adm. Kirby says there's been NO reported or confirmed 'drone' incursions in restricted airspace. Yet, the base says… https://t.co/IIBDjIxibw
— Ross Coulthart (@rosscoulthart) December 13, 2024
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced her frustrations, criticizing the Pentagon for its lack of transparency. “I’m going to call it total bullsh-t that no one knows what these are,” Greene said in a video. “They can track down a guy that just killed a CEO, but they can’t identify what nightly drones are and where they’re coming from.”
Greene accused the government of lying about not knowing the origin of the drones, saying, “They’re lying about not knowing who these drones belong to or where they are coming from.”
