Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aimed to reassure the public regarding the federal government’s management of reported drone sightings along the East Coast. In a segment on ABC News’s “This Week,” he stated that there is no indication of foreign involvement in these incidents, while his agency continues to remain “vigilant” in its investigations.
“We know of no foreign involvement concerning the sightings in the Northeast,” Mayorkas confirmed. “We are vigilant in investigating this matter, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation leading the efforts.”
Mayorkas urges Congress for expanded authorities to effectively manage drone concerns
While acknowledging the reality of the drone sightings, Mayorkas mentioned that various explanations could account for the increase. “There’s no question that people are seeing drones,” he stated, assuring the public that the federal government has allocated more resources, personnel, and technology to support the New Jersey State Police in responding to these sightings.
He explained that some reported drones could actually be “manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones,” adding, “We do see duplicative reporting. But there’s no question that drones are being sighted.”
According to Mayorkas, thousands of drones are flown across the country every day, highlighting a recent regulation permitting nighttime drone flights. “Let me set the record straight here,” he said. “There are thousands of drones flown every day in the United States, including recreational and commercial drones. That is the reality.”
He elaborated, “In September of 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modified the rules to allow drones to operate at night. This change may explain why people are observing more drones now than before, particularly during dawn and dusk.”
Mayorkas emphasized the need for increased federal resources to enhance the agency’s capacity to manage the drone sightings effectively. “I want to assure the American public that we are on it,” he said. “We are working closely with state and local authorities.
It is critical, as we have all mentioned over the years, that we require additional authorities from Congress to tackle the drone situation. Our current authorities are limited and set to expire; we need them extended and expanded.”
