Drones over US show gaps in airspace security, top Trump adviser says By Reuters

By Phil Stewart, Kanishka Singh, and Sarah N. By Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A drone strike in New Jersey and other U.S. states has highlighted security gaps in U.S. airspace that need to be closed, President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday.

The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden has played down concerns about the growing number of drone sightings, saying many of them involve manned aircraft and stressing there is no evidence of a national security threat.

But US lawmakers, including some of Biden’s fellow Democrats, have expressed frustration that the government has not been more transparent and aggressive in addressing public concerns.

Waltz said Americans are frustrated by the Biden administration’s failure to clarify what information they have about the drone reports.

“What the drone problem points to is kind of gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authority between the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement and the Department of Defense,” Waltz told CBS News’ Face the Nation.

“President Trump talked about the Iron Dome for America,” Waltz said, referring to Israel’s anti-missile defense system. “It should also include drones, not just adversary actions like hypersonic missiles.”

Israel’s Iron Dome, developed with US support, is a mobile air defense system designed to intercept short-range missiles and artillery shells that threaten populated areas.

The string of drone sightings began in New Jersey in mid-November, but in recent days has spread to Maryland, Massachusetts and other U.S. states.The sightings have drawn media attention and prompted a Facebook (NASDAQ:) page called “New Jersey’s Mysterious Drones. let’s solve it” with nearly 70,000 online members.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the US response, saying his agency had deployed personnel and technology.

“If there is any cause for concern, if we discover any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly. We are not aware of any at this time,” Mayorkas told ABC News.

Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, dismissed concerns that America’s enemies would send drones over US cities when they could use satellites to safely and easily monitor the US.

He said the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates civil airspace, needs to do more to address public concerns.

“When people are anxious, when they’re nervous…people will fill the vacuum with their fears and anxieties,” Hames said.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar urged the Biden administration to hold a briefing for senators to explain “what’s going on here.”

“We need more transparency,” Klobuchar said.

He also called for consideration of the regulation.

“Because this simply cannot be. “Nobody knows why this huge drone is right over their house.”