We’ve split our coverage of the recent Congressional hearing on drone activities into two parts. This is Part 1, focusing on federal officials discussing unexplained drone incidents in New York and New Jersey and the challenges of counter-drone operations. Part 2 will feature insights from private-sector experts. Stay tuned for more!
Drone Sightings in New York and New Jersey: Lawmakers Seek Answers
(Part 1 of two parts)
Members of Congress were eager for answers about drones appearing over New York and New Jersey, questioning federal security officials about the mysterious sightings. However, these officials had little information to share.
During a hearing titled “Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Systems,” representatives from the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice admitted they couldn’t identify where these large drones came from.
The FBI is still investigating, according to an official, who responded to questions from August Pfluger, cochairman of a House subcommittee focused on security. The investigation involves looking at reports, photos, and videos submitted by the public. Some drones are slightly bigger than commercial ones, with both fixed-wing and rotary types being spotted.
Pfluger started with, “Let’s just start with current events and I’ll ask an open-ended question. What is going on in New Jersey?” Wheeler, from the FBI, explained that while they are actively looking into the situation, they haven’t pinpointed who is behind it. He mentioned a tip line for the public to share information: 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Wheeler also addressed concerns about drones flying over sensitive locations like military sites and a golf club associated with Donald Trump. He explained that the Department of Defense would handle any actions against drones in these areas. Only a few departments have the legal authority to take measures like forcing drones to land.
During the joint hearing, officials were also questioned about drone activity at U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada. Keith Jones from Customs and Border Protection noted a significant increase in drone sightings near the U.S./Mexico border, often linked to drug cartels. In fiscal year ’24, CBP managed to intercept 60 drones, a small number compared to all sightings.
CBP recorded around 45,000 drone detections in the Southwest, with about 2,500 entering U.S. airspace. Most surveillance occurs outside U.S. jurisdiction, complicating mitigation efforts. When asked about drones staying outside U.S. airspace, Jones said CBP alerts Mexican authorities. He noted that while communication is strong, responding quickly is hard due to remote areas controlled by cartels.
People often wonder how complex situations like these can be resolved quickly.
“A lot of times these are in areas that are not highly populated. They’re very difficult to get to. They’re also controlled by cartels. So, by the time law enforcement responds, it’s very challenging for them,” he said. “It’s not for lack of effort. It’s just a very difficult environment.”
Request for Extended Counter-Drone Powers
Brad Wiegmann from the DOJ urged Congress to expand counter-drone authority to include state, local, and tribal agencies, especially at big events like sports games. The FBI currently covers some major events but can’t handle everything.
Lawmakers asked if federal agencies have enough resources to tackle drone threats from bad actors. Representative Carlos Gimenez raised concerns about AI-operated drones, questioning whether existing methods could stop them.
Jones didn’t provide details on CBP’s capabilities, preferring not to discuss them publicly. Wheeler mentioned that the FBI allocates $500,000 annually for counter-drone efforts, a fraction of its total budget.
Representative Tony Gonzales was surprised by the low funding. New York’s Anthony D’Esposito agreed, saying that as drones become more advanced, their potential for misuse grows. “A half a million dollars in drone expenditure appropriations? I mean, that’s absolutely insane,” he said.
(Part 2 will examine the testimony of private-sector experts on counter-drone operations.)
