In a recent development, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his concern over the increasing number of drone sightings across the United States.
In a bold statement, he suggested that these unidentified drones should be shot down if they are operating without the government's knowledge. "Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our governments knowledge," Trump questioned. "I [dont] think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, [shoot] them down!"
According to The Post Millennial, Trump's comments came in the wake of a joint statement issued by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The statement addressed the drone sightings in New Jersey, clarifying, "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." The agencies further explained that many of the reported sightings were actually manned aircraft operating within the law, and no drones had been spotted in any restricted airspace.
The statement also highlighted the potential threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). "We take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to?support New Jersey and?investigate?the reports.?To be clear, they?have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage. While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities."
In response to the drone sightings, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed "temporary flight restrictions" over Bedminster, New Jersey, which includes Trumps golf club. These restrictions, initially set to expire on December 20, were recently extended. The FAA, earlier in December, emphasized its commitment to integrating drones safely into the National Airspace System. "Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA. We look into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigate when appropriate," the FAA stated. It also warned that drone pilots endangering aircraft or people could face severe penalties, including the revocation of their certification and fines up to $75,000.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, in a conversation with Fox News, revealed that President Joe Biden has directed his team to investigate the matter. Kirby acknowledged the public's fear and concerns, stating, "We know people are afraid. We know people have concerns. We have those same concerns." However, he expressed hesitation about shooting down drones due to potential risks, such as damaging property or causing injury. "We just dont know enough" to "take those kinds of actions," Kirby concluded.
As the situation continues to unfold, it underscores the need for robust regulations and effective measures to address the potential threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. The government's response to these sightings will be a test of its commitment to ensuring national security and public safety.
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