Drones newest: Congress set for categorised briefing about mysterious origins which have baffled the US
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Officials are expected to receive a classified briefing on a series of apparent mystery drones have been spotted in several states over the last month.
The drones have been spotted in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia over the last month. At least one airport was shut down late last week due to reported drone activity.
Now, House Intelligence Committee members are expected to receive a classified briefing on Tuesday afternoon, according to CNN.
“We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter, the Department of Homeland Security, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the lead,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Sunday.
Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the House committee, told Fox News he’s frustrated with the current lack of information.
“There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.”
“It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They aren’t Martians,” he added.
In pictures: Drone sightings over New Jersey
President-elect Donald Trump says ‘something strange is going on’ with drone sightings
President-elect Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden and his administration of keeping people “in suspense” over the drones spotted in several states.
“Our military knows, and our president knows, and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense,” he said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday. “Something strange is going on and for some reason they don’t want to tell the people, and they should.”
Trump added that he did not want to comment on whether he received an intelligence briefing on the drones. House Intelligence Committee members will receive a classified briefing on the matter Tuesday, CNN reports.
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Biden admin is ‘in control of drones’ as MAGAworld pushes wild theories about mystery sightings
MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that the US government is “in control of the drones” that have been spotted over New Jersey and New York in recent weeks, which officials have so far been unable or unwilling to account for.
Greene, who is well known for amplifying online conspiracy theories, wrote on X late on Saturday night: “The government is in control of the drones and refuses to tell the American people what is going on. It really is that bad.”
The congresswoman offered no evidence to support her claim but followed up with a second post, which went viral when it was shared by podcaster Joe Rogan, featuring a video from drone manufacturer John Ferguson.
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ICYMI: Many drone spottings could be cases of ‘mistaken identity,’ officials say
Some of the drone spottings across several states in the US could be cases of “mistaken identity,” with residents unknowingly reporting legally-operated small aircraft, DHS and FBI officials have said.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also said some drones could be commercial.
The FBI has received some 5,000 tips regarding drone activity, but fewer than 100 were “deemed worthy of further investigative activity.” an agency spokesperson said over the weekend.
Full story: Two arrested over Boston airport incident while Ohio military base forced to shut airspace
Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, both of Massachusetts, were arrested and charged with trespassing on Saturday evening after their unmanned aircraft system (UAS) was detected above Logan International Airport, according to the Boston Police Department.
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House Intelligence members expected to receive Tuesday briefing
Members of the House Intelligence Committee will receive a classified briefing on the mysterious drone spottings, CNN reports.
Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the committee, told Fox News he’s frustrated with the current lack of information.
“There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.”
“It is not the Iranians, it is not the Chinese. They aren’t Martians,” he added.
ICYMI: Minnesota Senator calls for greater transparency from feds over drone sightings
Minnesota Senator calls for greater transparency from feds over drone sightings
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar called for increased transparency from federal officials on the mystery drone sightings across several states.
“One, we need a briefing for the members of the Senate to figure out what’s going on here,” Klobuchar told CBS News. “Two, we need more transparency.”
Members of the lower Congressional chamber are reportedly frustrated, too.
Democratic Representative Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told Fox News lawmakers are calling for more information.
“There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Himes said. “The answer ‘we don’t know’ is not a good enough answer when people are anxious, when they are nervous, and this has been true since we’ve been a species on this planet.”
Watch: Possible drones spotted over Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Are fake aliens flying over New Jersey to ‘steal Trump’s swagger?’ One MAGA podcaster is worried
Right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson reacted to the mysterious drones appearing over New Jersey in recent weeks by wondering if they were part of a “fake alien invasion” being staged to “steal Trump’s swagger.”
Beginning late last month, large drones — some as large as six feet in diameter — have been seen nightly across New Jersey from dusk until nearly midnight. According to the state lawmakers briefed on the matter this week, the sightings have ranged from four to 180 per night.
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Source: independent.co.uk
