A New Jersey state senator has urged the Department of Defense to investigate recent nighttime drone sightings, which have sparked growing public concern and frustration due to the lack of answers.
State Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-N.J., emphasized the urgency of federal involvement during an appearance on America Reports with co-anchor John Roberts on Wednesday. “Let me be clear: this is beyond the state police’s expertise. The Department of Defense has the technology to monitor these drones,” Bramnick stated.
He called for immediate action, including restricting airspace: “Until the Department of Defense steps in, shuts down airspace to drones, and declares a limited state of emergency, we won’t know what’s going on. Without their expertise, state officials are outmatched by this technology.”
The concerns intensified after Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., claimed “reliable” sources suspect the drones are linked to an Iranian “mothership” off the U.S. East Coast—a claim later dismissed by the Pentagon. Despite the denial, Bramnick defended Van Drew, saying he raised a serious issue.
“This is no joke,” Bramnick insisted. “Drones the size of SUVs shouldn’t be spotted without the Air Force or military knowing, yet citizens are calling the FBI instead. That’s deeply unsettling.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy addressed the sightings on Monday, describing the drones as “very sophisticated” and expressing his own frustrations. However, Murphy did not attend a Wednesday meeting scheduled to address the issue, prompting criticism from Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herd, who demanded action: “Where are you, Phil Murphy? The Murphy administration must involve the Department of Defense immediately.”
The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office has since called for a state of emergency and an executive order banning recreational drone use at night. “Swift and decisive action is needed to restore peace of mind in our communities,” read their statement.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who spent Monday night on a beach speaking with local residents and a U.S. Coast Guard officer, echoed these concerns. Meanwhile, the FBI’s Newark field office issued a plea for public information on December 3, noting reports of drones and a potential fixed-wing aircraft near the Raritan River over several weeks.
The mysterious sightings continue to baffle authorities and heighten calls for immediate federal intervention.
