A heated exchange between a New Jersey congressman and Pentagon officials has escalated over the presence of sophisticated drones in the state's airspace.
According to the Washington Examiner, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) strongly criticized the Pentagon's handling of mysterious drone activities in New Jersey, claiming he has "credible" sources suggesting possible Iranian involvement.
The confrontation intensified when Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh dismissed Van Drew's assertions about the drones' origins, particularly his claim about their connection to an Iranian vessel off the coast. Van Drew, appearing on Fox News's America's Newsroom, defended his position by highlighting the advanced nature of these aerial devices.
The Republican congressman emphasized the sophisticated technology behind these drones, ruling out both hobbyist devices and domestic commercial operations. He pointed out that American drone technology currently lags behind Chinese capabilities by approximately a decade, raising concerns about the aircraft's origins.
Van Drew's claims gained support from whistleblowers who suggested Iranian involvement, with additional validation from Coast Guard observations of the drones' unusual behavior. The congressman expressed frustration over the Pentagon's reluctance to intercept and analyze these unmanned aircraft.
The situation drew parallels to last year's Chinese spy balloon incident, with Van Drew criticizing the administration's delayed response in both cases. He characterized the handling of these security concerns as demonstrating "weakness and stupidity."
Fellow Republican Representative Chris Smith has joined the chorus of concern, revealing that over a dozen drones recently pursued a Coast Guard vessel. The incident prompted Smith to advocate for authorization to shoot down these unidentified aircraft during a congressional hearing.
Democratic Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged the technical sophistication of these drones, noting their ability to evade detection. The governor's statements highlighted the bipartisan nature of concerns over these aerial intrusions.
The presence of these mysterious aircraft has united state officials across party lines in their demand for more aggressive federal action. Both Democratic and Republican leaders have emphasized the potential security risks posed by these unidentified drones.
Rep. Van Drew stated:
They've been incredibly stupid and incredibly weak with this. Here's the point: we know they're not backyard drones that some hobbyist is using because they're more sophisticated than that. We know that they're not a commercial company within the United States because we don't even have this level of sophistication yet.
The ongoing situation has raised questions about national security protocols and response capabilities. State officials continue to monitor drone activities while pushing for federal authorization to take more decisive action.
Military and civilian authorities have increased surveillance efforts along New Jersey's coastline. The incidents have prompted calls for enhanced coordination between state and federal agencies in addressing potential aerial threats.
The mysterious drone activity in New Jersey's airspace has created tension between state officials and the Pentagon, with Representative Jeff Van Drew leading criticism of the federal response. The situation involves sophisticated unmanned aircraft operating near Coast Guard vessels and along the state's coastline, with some officials suggesting possible Iranian connections. As federal and state authorities continue their investigation, the incident has highlighted the need for clearer protocols in responding to unidentified aerial activities.
