U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently sparked controversy with his comments on the recent drone sightings in New Jersey.
His remarks, made during an appearance on The Breakfast Show, have drawn criticism from New Jersey residents and social media users alike.
According to the Daily Mail, Buttigieg was questioned about the recent drone sightings, which have been described as 'SUV-sized' and have caused significant disruption in the Garden State. The Secretary's response, however, was not well received. He suggested that New Jersey would be an unlikely location for an alien invasion, a comment that was seen as dismissive and disrespectful by some.
"I mean no disrespect to New Jersey when I say I think it's very unlikely that an alien invasion would begin in New Jersey," Buttigieg stated. His comments were met with immediate pushback from co-host DJ Envy, who reminded the Secretary that all three of the show's hosts are New Jersey residents.
Despite the backlash, Buttigieg stood by his comments, suggesting that an uninhabited area in the Pacific would be a more likely landing spot for extraterrestrials. His comments sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with users expressing both amusement and outrage.
The drone sightings, which began in late November, have caused widespread concern among Americans. Many fear that foreign entities may be behind the mysterious unmanned aircraft. Despite the public outcry, White House officials have downplayed the concerns.
"We're following this closely, but so far no sense of danger," President Joe Biden said in a recent White House briefing. He suggested that the drone sightings could be the result of a "copycat" phenomenon, with multiple entities following the lead of an initial drone operator.
In response to the sightings, the Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a temporary ban over parts of New Jersey. The government has warned that it may respond with "deadly force" against drones that pose a threat.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, however, has voiced his concerns about the situation. He warned that the drone sightings are a "wake-up call" to the country's vulnerability to potential foreign attacks.
"Now we can say this based on the most sophisticated drone detection systems on the planet that started to arrive in New Jersey last Friday and Saturday, there is no public threat here, period. I could say that unequivocally," Murphy said on News 12 New Jersey's 'Ask Gov. Murphy' program.
Despite the reassurances, Murphy emphasized the need for the nation to address its vulnerability to drone incursions. "We as a nation are vulnerable. We must address that. We must address it sooner than later, and New Jerseys not immune," he warned.
Since the first drone sighting on November 18, the FBI has received over 5,000 tips about sightings in the tri-state area alone. This information was released in a joint statement by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the FAA, and the Department of Defense. As the nation grapples with this issue, it is clear that the debate over drone regulation and national security is far from over.
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