New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-LD24) has sounded the alarm over the ongoing appearance of large drones flying over the state, calling for military intervention following a legislative briefing.
Fantasia's remarks, shared on X, highlighted mounting frustrations over what she perceives as a lack of proactive measures and transparency from state and federal agencies.
"To state that there is no known or credible threat is incredibly misleading," Fantasia wrote, "And I informed all officials of that sentiment."
Fantasia criticized state authorities' limited ability to intervene, as jurisdiction over drone takedowns lies solely with federal agencies. She expressed particular frustration at the absence of Governor Phil Murphy from the briefing and advocated for immediate military involvement, calling it "the only path forward."
The briefing revealed several alarming details:
• The drones, measuring up to six feet in diameter, have been spotted nightly since mid-November, with as many as 180 sightings reported in a single evening.
• The drones operate in coordinated patterns, for up to six or seven hours at a time, and seem to be equipped with technology to evade detection by infrared cameras and radio frequencies.
• Federal agencies, including the FBI and Coast Guard, are leading investigations, but little progress has been made in identifying the drones or their operators.
While officials like Laurie Doran, Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, maintain there is no credible threat, Fantasia strongly disagrees, warning that the unknown nature of the drones makes inaction unacceptable.
She called for expedited federal legislation to regulate drones, enhanced detection technologies and greater public engagement through reporting campaigns.
Fantasia emphasized her view that only decisive intervention, potentially by the military or Coast Guard, could provide clarity and security in the absence of answers.
Earlier in the day, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-R), suggested, without evidence, that the drones are coming from an Iranian "mothership" operated off the East Coast. He seemed to align with Fantasia's view that the unidentified drones were a cause for alarm and required military intervention, though he was unable to provide sources for the allegations.
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