Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.) expressed concerns Tuesday about the federal government's inability to track or identify widespread drone sightings across the U.S., warning that the situation poses a potential national security threat. Speaking on NewsNation's Dan Abrams Live, Giménez, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the government "hasn't the faintest idea" about the origin or purpose of many drone flights. His remarks followed reports of multiple drone sightings along the East Coast, including near military sites in New Jersey and Ohio. While White House and Pentagon officials have suggested that most drones are recreational or commercial, but Giménez called for further investigation. "Drones pose a threat and they're going to be an increasing threat," he said. The Pentagon acknowledged that more than one million drones are registered in the U.S., with around 8,500 in flight daily, but emphasized that most are used for non-threatening purposes. Giménez warned that technological advancements in artificial intelligence could make future drone incidents more dangerous. "When you don't need a pilot anymore, those drones are going to pose a significant problem," he said.
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09:21 AM EST
DoD enhances drone detection at New Jersey military installations
The Department of Defense is deploying additional resources to New Jersey's Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle to improve their capabilities in detecting, tracking, and monitoring drone activity.
The move comes as part of ongoing efforts to bolster national security and protect military assets. According to a news release, commanders at both installations can now utilize the newly released counter-unmanned systems strategy to guide their responses to any potential drone incursions.
The strategy aims to enhance the military's readiness to address the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems.
09:13 AM EST
Senator on whether mystery drones are aliens: 'Anything is possible'
Senator Josh Hawley has weighed in on the speculation surrounding recently sighted mystery drones or UFOs, refusing to rule out the presence of extraterrestrials as an explanation.
The senior senator from Missouri noted in a Fox News interview that the government is avoiding clear answers on the drones, commonly referred to as unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and who might be behind them. Pressed on whether these unexplained sightings "could be aliens," Hawley laughed but left the door open, saying, "Anything is possible."
Newsweek contacted Hawley through an online form on his website for further comment outside of working hours on Wednesday.
Read the full article by Emma Marsden on Newsweek.
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