What's New
Pequannock Township Mayor Ryan Herd has accused federal and state officials of withholding the truth about mystery drones and "orbs" reported in northern New Jersey skies.
In a video posted on Facebook, Herd stated, "The government is actually lying to us," and demanded answers regarding the unidentified flying objects.
Newsweek has contacted Herd, the White House, and the FBI via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The sightings of drones and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) in New Jersey are part of a broader surge in reports across the East Coast, with over 5,000 sightings documented in recent weeks, according to federal authorities.
Concerns about privacy, national security, and government transparency have escalated, with local officials like Herd seeking clearer explanations about the origins and purposes of these aerial operations.
What To Know
Herd has been vocal about the issue, describing a lack of meaningful action from federal authorities.
In a Monday interview with Fox News, he expressed skepticism about the government's claims that the drone sightings were mostly legal drones or manned aircraft, stating, "do I buy it? Absolutely not."
Herd said that federal detection technology is insufficient to identify the larger drones observed.
In a letter to Congressman Chris Smith last week, Herd proposed deploying an advanced tracking technology to identify and assess the drones' origins and ownership. The proposal has not been adopted.
Herd also criticized the lack of transparency during a meeting with Governor Phil Murphy and every New Jersey mayor earlier this month, where he said authorities admitted they were unable to determine who was operating the drones or where they originated.
He said the messaging from federal officials was not plausible, telling Fox News, "They're going to be able to say 'American public don't believe your eyes.'"
What People Are Saying
Mayor Ryan Herd, in a video posted to Facebook: "What I don't understand is why are they lying to us... We need answers and we need answers now."
John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, in a briefing: "We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and even stars."
President-elect Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "Mystery Drone Sightings all over the country. Can this really be happening without our government's knowledge? I don't think so! Let the public know, and now," he wrote on Truth Social.
What Happens Next
Investigations into the drone sightings continue, with federal and state officials deploying detection measures. Mayor Herd has pledged to keep pressing for transparency and for the deployment of more advanced tracking systems.
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