Written by Phil Stewart, Kanishka Singh and Sarah N. Lynch
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump's pick for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Sunday that a group of drones seen in New Jersey and other U.S. states highlighted gaps in U.S. airspace security that needed to be filled.
The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden has played down concerns about the growing number of drone sightings, saying most involve manned aircraft and stressing there is no evidence of any threat to national security.
But US lawmakers, including some of Biden's fellow Democrats, have expressed frustration that the government is not being more transparent and more aggressive in addressing public concerns.
Waltz said Americans are increasingly frustrated with the Biden administration's failure to clarify the information they have about drone reports.
“What the drone issue points to is kind of gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authorities between the Department of Homeland Security, domestic law enforcement, and the Department of Defense,” Waltz told CBS News.
“President Trump talked about America’s Iron Dome,” Waltz said, referring to Israel’s missile defense system. “This should include drones as well, not just hostile actions like hypersonic missiles,” he added.
Israel's Iron Dome, developed with US support, is a mobile air defense system designed to intercept short-range missiles and artillery shells that endanger populated areas.
The wave of reports of drone sightings began in New Jersey in mid-November, but has expanded in recent days to include Maryland, Massachusetts and other US states. The sightings received media attention and prompted the creation of a Facebook (NASDAQ:) page called “New Jersey's Mysterious Drones – Let's Solve Them” with nearly 70,000 members online.
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 identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly. At this time we are not aware of anything,” Mayorkas told ABC News.
Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, downplayed fears that America's enemies would send drones over American cities when they could use satellites to safely and easily monitor the United States.
He said the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates civil airspace, must do more to allay public concerns.
“When people feel anxious, when they feel stressed, people fill the void with their fears and anxieties,” Hymes said.
Democratic Senator 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.
She also called for a look at regulation.
“Because this can’t be: No one knows why there is this huge drone over their house.”
