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From Fox News: White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby claimed Thursday that many of the purported drone sightings spotted over New Jersey for the past several weeks are actually lawfully operated manned aircraft.
“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,” Kirby told reporters at the daily White House press briefing. “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.”
“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,” Kirby said. “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. The United States Coast Guard is providing support to the state of New Jersey, and has confirmed that there is no evidence of any foreign-based involvement from coastal vessels. And importantly, there are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace.”
Kirby tried to pass the buck and place responsibility on Congress on Thursday.
“We certainly take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems, which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports, even though they have uncovered no malicious activity or intent at this particular stage,” Kirby claimed.
“While there is no known malicious activity occurring, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight a gap in authorities, and so we urge Congress to pass important legislation that will extend and expand existing counter drone authorities so that we are better prepared to identify and mitigate any potential threats to airports or other critical infrastructure. And so that state and local authorities are provided all the tools that they need to respond to such threats as well,” he claimed.
WATCH:
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
The FBI and DHS then released a written statement with the same announcement.
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.
Read our full joint statement with the @FBI below: https://t.co/bDV9SjXCJy
— Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) December 12, 2024
Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich called Kirby out, saying, “Can you make that make more sense? Because I think people in New York and New Jersey see drones the size of an SUV over their house every night and think that that doesn’t make any sense.”
Watch the exchanges before, as Heinrich won’t let him off the hook.
.@JacquiHeinrich: “Can you make that make more sense? Because I think people in New York and New Jersey see drones the size of an SUV over their house every night and think that that doesn’t make any sense.”
Kirby: “Yeah, I understand why people would be looking at this and… pic.twitter.com/HAo8PQnGv6
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 12, 2024
No one is buying what Kirby is selling, based on responses posted on social media…
In short the feds equipment can’t detect the aircraft but they somehow know the aircraft are manned. Right lol.
— Tyler Braaten (@tybraaten3) December 12, 2024
Remember when they said the Chinese spy balloon wasn’t a Chinese supply balloon? Déjà vu
— Dusty D (@dustyddunaway) December 12, 2024
That have no respect at all for the American people.
— Bill Walsh (@wwalsh) December 12, 2024
Lies. I live in Jersey. These are massive bus sized drones. Seen by many. Also – reports from nj state police corroborate these claims. More lies from the top. Serious situation. This is a disgraceful and dangerous presser.
— Michael Valesio (@MikeValesio) December 12, 2024
Hey Pinocchio, people are showing videos. Don’t be such a moron. I’m so f-en tired of these f-ing politicians. They think we’re stupid.
— AC (@ArtBFartB) December 12, 2024
Evidently they don’t have radar?
— @amuse (@amuse) December 12, 2024
Two active NOTAMs for the areas of interest, the FAA knows what is going on: https://t.co/vbKEnouwHA
— Adam (@RMEChief) December 12, 2024
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