East Coast alarmed by wave of mysterious drone sightings

Since mid-November, a wave of mysterious drone sightings — primarily in New Jersey but now extending to New York and other parts of the eastern U.S. — has sparked conspiracy theories, fueled online speculation, and stirred widespread anxiety, if not paranoia. Lawmakers from both parties are pressuring the federal government to provide credible explanations for the flurry of drone activity, some of which has reportedly skirted military installations and Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

As the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and local agencies investigate the phenomenon, the White House has come under fire from the incoming administration for not tackling the issue more decisively. On Saturday, the Biden administration was forced to convene a press briefing to reassure the public. Officials emphasized that the drones do not pose a threat to national or public security and dismissed theories involving foreign agents, such as China. That country drew scrutiny in early 2023 after two suspected spy balloons were spotted over the Atlantic Ocean and Montana; both were shot down by U.S. fighter jets.

Despite the call for calm, the public remains anxious. Echoing the UFO fever of the 1960s and 1970s (which continues to this day), East Coast residents are scanning the skies for signs, lights, and trails. Officials from the FBI, Pentagon, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have determined that many reported sightings were actually small planes or other manned aircraft flying legally. In regard to the unmanned aircraft, experts remain uncertain whether a single drone is being spotted repeatedly or if multiple drones are flying in coordinated efforts, which would imply the operator has an intent or plan.

In New Jersey, where drone sightings have been most frequent, the FBI has asked residents to submit videos, photos, or any relevant information. Authorities have received about 5,000 tips, of which roughly 100 are under active investigation.

Some drones have operated near or beyond the bounds of legality. In Boston, police arrested two men Saturday night for flying a drone “dangerously close” to the city’s airport. Using drone surveillance technology, officers tracked the device and apprehended the operators, while a third suspect fled and remains at large. Both men face trespassing charges.

At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, airspace was closed for four hours between Friday and Saturday due to the presence of several unidentified drones, which did not reappear again after the facilities were closed. It was the first time that unmanned aircraft had been seen at the base, which is one of the largest in the world. According to a military spokesperson, the drones, varying in size, did not disrupt operations or damage facilities at the base.

In New York, reported drone sightings have increased, but the actual number of verified sightings has remained stable, the NYPD’s intelligence and counterterrorism division said on Monday. Officials suggested that heightened media coverage and social media speculation have made New Yorkers more alert, resulting in more reports. However, many of the reported sightings were confirmed not to be drones, a revelation that only raises further questions.

Flight counts and technical details aside, the mysterious drone activity has sparked political action on the eve of the White House transition. Many legislators, echoing the concerns of their bewildered constituents, have even called on authorities to consider shooting down the unidentified drones. Experts and federal officials, however, caution that such measures would not only be illegal and dangerous but could also result in “serious material damage and injuries.”

Though the drones have been reported in at least seven states, none has experienced as much commotion as New Jersey, New York’s neighboring state. Governor Phil Murphy and Senator Andy Kim, both Democrats, have literally gone on the hunt for drones in a bid to find answers. On Sunday night, Murphy announced on the social platform X that he had joined state police officers in West Trenton to observe the skies under ideal visibility conditions, just hours before rainy weather rolled in. “The public deserves clear answers — we will keep pushing the federal government for more information and resources,” he posted.

Speculation and enemies

Both Governor Murphy and local law enforcement officials agree that the drone flights do not appear to pose an immediate threat to public safety. However, they, along with state lawmakers and city officials, are calling for stricter operating regulations. The drones began appearing over New Jersey in mid-November, initially spotted flying over a scenic river that feeds the state’s largest aquifer, just 50 miles east of New York. Soon, they were seen near a military research center and President-elect Trump’s golf course, which is sometimes used for political meetings and rallies.

New Jersey Republican Rep. Chris Smith has added fuel to the speculation, arguing not only that drones are everywhere, but that an enemy country could be behind the sightings. “The elusive maneuvering of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities — or worse — by violent dictatorships including Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea,” he told a news briefing on Saturday.

“The Biden administration continues to be dismissive of New Jersey residents who have witnessed these drones in swarms, including coming from the ocean, following a Coast Guard lifeboat, and flying over extremely sensitive military bases like Naval Weapons Station Earle in my congressional district,” Smith added in a statement on Friday. “Some press reports — including one from the Daily Mail — cite intelligence experts who suggest Russia could be responsible. [...] [The Biden administrion’s] lack of decisive action and empty reassurances will only cause increased speculation and continue to escalate the valid concerns that so many people have.”

The phenomenon — which some are already jokingly calling a minor sequel to War of the Worlds — has evolved from a pulp story into something that could soon be classified in a Pentagon file. With just a month remaining before the White House transition, some are already speculating about what kind of weapons Trump may use to respond to the drones if the mysterious sightings continue.

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