What's New
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, raised a new question on Saturday about the mysterious drone sightings that have recently been reported across the country, asking why the term "drone" is being used to describe them.
Newsweek has reached out to Greene's office via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Officials at local and federal levels have been baffled by reports of mystery drone sightings spotted in Northeastern states such as New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Residents in Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, and California, have also reported seeing drones flying overhead, raising concerns about security threats and speculation of foreign involvement.
Federal officials, like Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have repeatedly sought to calm public anxieties, affirming there's no evidence of foreign involvement or ill intent behind the sightings.
However, conspiracy theories have flourished online about the drones, ranging from foreign espionage to government cover-ups.
What To Know
The reports began mid-November and a recent statement from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said there have been over 5,000 sightings of drones across states on the East Coast in recent weeks.
In response to the rise in drone sightings, lawmakers have called on federal agencies to investigate the issue further. The sightings, which have sparked unease in affected communities, have not been linked to foreign interference or immediate public safety threats, according to national security officials.
Greene is one of several lawmakers who have challenged the official information given by government agencies about the drone sightings.
On Saturday, the congresswoman took to X, formerly Twitter, to raise questions on why the term "drone" is being used.
"Why are they calling them drones? For a long time it was UFO [unidentified flying object], then it became UAP [unidentified aerial phenomenon]. Ever since these things started being seen in NJ, the term used has been 'drone.' Who made that the official term and why? That seems to convey knowing what they are versus using an acronym starting with a 'U' that stands for unidentified."
The investigation into the drone sightings was initially opened due to reports of pilots identifying unidentified UAS's [unmanned aircraft systems]. An FBI official said last week during a press call that "most of the reports of UAS have originated from the ground, with very, very few reports of UAS activity from pilots of manned aircraft."
Since then, there has been intense pressure on federal agencies to provide more information about the sightings.
What People Are Saying
White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Monday that the Biden administration has not identified "anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risks over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast."
"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 aircrafts, helicopters, and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones," Kirby said.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said on Monday that drone-detection systems deployed across the state last week found "little to no evidence" of malicious activities, despite growing concerns over mysterious nighttime sightings.
President Joe Biden to reporters on Tuesday that the drones were "nothing nefarious apparently" and suggested many of the sightings were authorized drones in flight. He also said that there is "no sense of danger."
President-elect Donald Trump and Greene have suggested the drones be shot down.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote last week: "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. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT."
In another post on Truth Social on Monday, Greene said: "I'll shoot the drones down myself along with every other red blooded freedom loving American."
Greene has previously accused the government of withholding information about the mysterious drones and said she did not believe the official communications from the government.
"The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad," she wrote on X last week.
What Happens Next
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a temporary ban on drones in areas of New Jersey until January 17.
New York has temporarily banned the flying of drones over some of the state's "critical infrastructure sites." No-fly zones include Far Rockaway in Queens, Brooklyn and two communities on Long Island, Ridge and Garden City, according to the FAA.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stressed in a statement on Thursday that while no public safety or national security threats have been detected, the action is "purely precautionary."
Officials are continuing to investigate the sightings.
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