Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas appeared on CNN Friday, attempting to downplay public fears surrounding unidentified drones reportedly seen in New Jersey’s skies. Mayorkas suggested the drones are likely consumer-grade devices and not a significant threat.
Given Mayorkas’ past liberties with honestly reporting on the border crisis, many remain unconvinced.
“There very well may be drones in the sky, of course, but those are commercially available,” Mayorkas told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on The Situation Room. “One can go into a convenience store and buy a small drone. There are also commercial drones as well, but we know of no threat or nefarious activity.”
The sightings have sparked widespread concern, leading to speculation that the drones could be tied to foreign espionage or targeting President-elect Donald Trump. Residents near Morristown, New Jersey, have shared accounts of multiple drones being seen, with some raising alarm over their persistence and unknown origins.
Mayorkas acknowledged the limitations of his department’s authority, explaining that current federal rules prevent agencies from simply taking drones out of the sky. “It’s not as though anyone can just take down a drone in the sky. That in and of itself would be dangerous,” Mayorkas said, adding that Congress needs to expand the powers available to federal agencies.
Despite his reassurances, reports of drones have triggered a federal investigation. Residents and witnesses remain unconvinced by claims that the drones pose no threat. Local first responders in New Jersey have even been instructed to involve bomb squads and wear hazmat suits when encountering unidentified drones.
As public concern grows, the debate over drone regulations highlights a larger issue: whether existing federal powers are sufficient to address potential security risks posed by increasingly accessible drone technology. For many, Mayorkas’ remarks are unlikely to ease fears.
