(Rightallegiance.com) – President-elect Donald Trump addressed the growing concerns over a series of drone sightings along the East Coast, calling for transparency from the U.S. military. Speaking at a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump emphasized the importance of informing the public about the nature of these sightings.
President Trump on the drone situation: "The government knows exactly what’s going on, they should tell the public" pic.twitter.com/Q1kmNobzsZ
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“The government knows what is happening,” Trump stated. “For some reason, they don’t want to comment. And I think they’d be better off saying what it is our military knows and our president knows.” While he refrained from providing specific details, he added, “I can’t imagine it’s the enemy.” Trump also declined to answer whether he had been briefed by intelligence officials on the matter.
Earlier on Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder clarified the military’s stance on the sightings. He confirmed that the drones in question were not operated by the U.S. military and highlighted the limitations placed on the military in tracking drones within domestic airspace unless a credible threat is identified.
“Flying drones is not illegal. There are thousands of drones flown around the U.S. on a daily basis. So, as a result, it’s not that unusual to see drones in the sky, nor is it an indication of malicious activity or any public safety threat,” Ryder explained. He further noted, “The same applies to drones flown near U.S. military installations. Some fly near or over our bases from time to time. That, in and of itself, is not unusual, and the vast majority pose no physical threat to our forces or impact our operations.”
The sightings, which began in New Jersey in mid-November, have since spread to other states, including Maryland and Massachusetts. While the sudden spike in reports has drawn public attention, U.S. officials stated over the weekend that most of the sightings involved manned aircraft rather than drones and posed no national security risk.
An FBI official reported that out of over 5,000 sightings logged, fewer than 100 warranted further investigation. Notably, all large fixed-wing sightings so far have involved manned aircraft, dispelling concerns of a widespread drone operation.
Trump’s designated national security adviser, Mike Waltz, weighed in on the issue, stating that the incidents highlighted vulnerabilities in U.S. airspace security. “We need to address these gaps to ensure our airspace is safeguarded,” Waltz remarked on Sunday.
In response to the ongoing reports, a U.S. official, speaking anonymously, revealed that drone detection and tracking systems were being deployed to Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey. However, the timeline for operational readiness remains unclear. The official stressed that none of the sightings so far had posed a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby reiterated this assessment during a briefing on Monday, stating that there was no evidence of illegal activity or risks to national security or public safety. “This conclusion comes from thorough evaluations conducted by U.S. law enforcement agencies,” Kirby said.
As drone technology becomes increasingly accessible, the government faces mounting pressure to address the challenges posed by its use in both civilian and potentially sensitive areas. Trump’s comments underscore the need for greater transparency and a more proactive approach to airspace security as officials continue to monitor the situation.