Unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and neighboring states have ignited growing concern among residents and lawmakers, prompting bipartisan calls for greater transparency from federal agencies. Reports of mysterious aerial vehicles, some described as car-sized, have left communities unsettled while federal investigators struggle to provide definitive answers about their origins.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton criticized the federal government's response to the sightings, urging officials to treat the public's concerns with greater seriousness. "We need to know if those are foreign assets or some other asset that is doing something that they shouldn't be doing," Leighton told CNN. "The government needs to be responsive to the people, not basically pooh-poohing what they say."
Residents across New Jersey have reported numerous sightings since late November. Some described drones hovering silently at night, while others noted unusual patterns of movement. In one instance, a Pequannock Township resident reported a drone crash in their backyard. In Morris County, another drone reportedly fell near power lines, sparking an alleged swarm of additional drones in the vicinity. A police dispatcher responding to the latter incident said, "A drone fell out of the sky by the power lines by their house. When she heard the crash, she reported 10 more drones showed up, circling the area."
Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) expressed frustration with the lack of transparency surrounding the incidents. "I'm concerned," Booker told reporters. "I think there should be a lot more transparency about it. There hasn't been enough transparency letting people know what's happening. It's allowing a lot of potentially misinformation to spread, or at least fear. We should know what's going on over our skies."
Booker, alongside New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and fellow New Jersey lawmakers Andy Kim and Bob Menendez, co-signed a letter to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The letter, sent Thursday, demanded a briefing on the drone activity, citing potential safety and security risks. The senators referenced recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites as evidence of the need for urgent action. They requested a response no later than December 23.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged the ongoing investigations into the sightings but cautioned against overreaction, suggesting that many reports might be misidentified airplanes or helicopters. Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh added that federal investigators have yet to find evidence linking the drones to foreign entities or adversarial operations. However, these statements have done little to quell public unease.
Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) added to the speculation, claiming he had been told by a "highly reliable" source that the drones could originate from an Iranian "mothership" stationed offshore. While the Pentagon dismissed this assertion, Van Drew remained firm. "We are not being told the truth," he said, adding that the federal government's response has been insufficient.
Some experts have suggested alternative explanations, including domestic operations. Leighton noted that the drones could potentially be part of testing programs by law enforcement or military entities. "There could be some kind of test being run by the U.S. government, either a law enforcement entity or the military, and they could be testing out some new technologies," Leighton told CNN. He emphasized, however, that such tests typically do not occur in densely populated areas.
The lack of definitive answers has left many New Jersey residents on edge. Ari Perez, a 26-year-old resident of Wayne, described her experience to The New York Post. "Me and my fiancée were on the way to the gym around 6:45 p.m. tonight when we saw one. It was freaky," Perez said. "We're supposed to be living in a safe country, but no one knows what's going on."
As the December 23 deadline for a federal response approaches, bipartisan pressure from lawmakers continues to mount. Senator Booker emphasized the need for clarity, noting that misinformation and fear thrive in the absence of transparent communication. "We should know what's going on over our skies," he said.
Until federal agencies provide concrete explanations, the mystery surrounding the drones will remain a source of anxiety and speculation for both lawmakers and the public. With investigations ongoing, the skies above New Jersey and neighboring states have become an unsettling symbol of unanswered questions.
