Dozens of large drones have been spotted at night across New Jersey in recent weeks, including near sensitive sites such as a military research facility, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.
Murphy said the drones don't appear to pose a public safety concern, but during a hearing before House subcommittees on Capitol Hill Tuesday, an official with the FBI said it is still concerning.
Robert Wheeler Jr., assistant director of the Critical Incident Response Group for the FBI, said investigators don't know where the drones have come from or who they belong to.
"The bureau is actively investigating the unexplained sighting of drone activity over that part of New Jersey, including proximity to sensitive sites and areas of concern," Wheeler said Tuesday. "We do not attribute that to an individual or group yet. I don't have an answer of who's responsible, one or more people that are responsible, but we're actively investigating."
"You're telling me we don't know what the hell these drones in New Jersey are?" said U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) at Tuesday's hearing.
Wheeler replied, "That's right."
While speaking at an unrelated bill signing event in Princeton, Murphy noted there were 49 reports of drones on Sunday, mostly in Hunterdon County. The Democratic governor said those numbers included possible sightings and potentially the same drone being reported more than once.
"This is something we're taking deadly seriously. I don't blame people for being frustrated," Murphy said.
It's unclear who is piloting the drones and why, but federal and state officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no known threat to public safety.
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Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Drone operators also must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
The flights initially raised questions in part because they took place near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster.
Most of the drones have been spotted along coastal areas, and some of the devices were recently spotted over a large reservoir in Clinton.
During a general press conference Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said they don't have any reason to believe the drones are from a foreign entity. She also responded to a question about claims that there is an "Iranian mothership" off the coast of the U.S. stating they are not true.
"There is not any truth to that. There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and there is no so-called 'mothership' launching drones towards the United States," Singh said.
The FBI asks that residents share any videos or photos they may have of the flights, along with any other relevant information.
"I join thousands of New Jersey residents in deep frustration regarding the growing concerns over drones operating in our skies. The safety and privacy of our residents must be a top priority, and right now, both are being put at risk," said U.S. Rep Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) in a post on X.
U.S. Rep Chris Smith, a Republican, said he was on Long Beach Island Monday night with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy to look into the situation.
"Understandably, New Jersey residents are very alarmed at this significant and reoccurring phenomenon, and the tepid response from our state and federal agencies so far is totally unacceptable," he said. "The people of New Jersey deserve swift and bold action on the part of our state and federal agencies to investigate, assess, and address the situation immediately and to alleviate the growing concerns of our community."
Meanwhile, New Jersey Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said on X, "The State of New Jersey should issue a limited state of emergency banning all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings."
