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President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to release a report on the mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey shortly after his inauguration on Monday (January 20). Trump made this promise during a gathering with Republican governors at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, expressing frustration over the lack of information shared with the public.
The surge in drone sightings began in mid-November along the Jersey Shore, with reports of drones near sensitive locations such as reservoirs, Trump's golf club in Bedminster, and Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued temporary flight restrictions over more than 50 towns in New Jersey, including areas near Naval Weapons Station Earle, due to unauthorized drone flights.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, have been investigating the sightings. According to CNN, most reports have been attributed to lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, along with manned aircraft and even stars mistaken for drones. Despite this, Trump has called for transparency, stating, "Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!"
The FBI continues to investigate around 100 reports, but no evidence of a national security threat has been found. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and other state officials have pressed for more answers, emphasizing the public's concern. The FAA's flight restrictions are set to end later this month, and Trump has promised to provide more information on the drone activity one day into his administration.