They’re not birds or planes; they’re drones. But Americans are wondering who is flying them and why there are so many of them.
Mysterious drone sightings have recently been sighted across eastern states, prompting lawmakers’ call, for answers.
Both the governor of New York and former governor of Maryland took to social media demanding transparency and clarity on who is controlling them. President-elect Donald Trump did the same, demanding the aircrafts be shot down until the government can inform the public.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said there is no national security or public safety threat posed by the drone sightings, many of which are “manned aircraft, operating lawfully.”
White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby echoed the federal agencies statement at a Thursday press briefing adding there is no evidence of foreign-based involvement from coastal vessels.
Timeline: Mysterious drones start appearing in east
Nov 18:
- Witness accounts begin spotting several large drones in New Jersey measuring around 6 feet in diameter at night usually between dusk to 11 p.m, according to the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.
- The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey says patrolmen from law enforcement spotted the drones. The prosecutor’s office says the several agencies, including federal and state law enforcement partners, would “coordinate, monitor, and investigate the drone activity.”
Nov 22:
- The FAA issues the first of two temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drones over the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey through Dec. 6. A second one was later issued on Dec. 4, extending the restriction through Dec. 20. The FAA told USA TODAY the move came “at the request of federal security partners.”
Nov. 25:
Nov 26:
- A medevac helicopter is prevented from picking up an injured car crash victim at the Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, because drones were spotted in the area, a school spokesperson told USA TODAY on Dec. 4.
- The landing site is relocated away from the campus, which is commonly used as a landing site for helicopters from the New Jersey State Police Emergency Medical Services Responses Program (North-Star) for emergency transports.
Dec. 1:
- Morris County resident Jonelle Ferentinos sees five drones at night in her neighborhood near the Boonton Reservoir in Parsippany. The next night she sees four hovering and moving around in different directions, she told the Morristown Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Dec 3:
- The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey says the drone sightings pose “no known threat to public safety.”
- The FBI issues a statement revealing drones have been reportedly seen flying in several areas along the 70-mile Raritan River in New Jersey. The agency did not specify exactly where the sightings along the 70-mile river were.
Dec 10:
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) posts a letter urging several agencies to investigate the drone sightings including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Dec 11:
- A New Jersey closed-door briefing about the drones is held at State Police headquarters, where lawmakers are told that investigators have been unable to electronically detect the drones despite the frequent sightings. New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra says federal officials sent over an electro-optical infrared camera, designed to detect drones within one to two miles even in the dark, the Asbury Park Press reported.
- Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh says state and local authorities have the right to take any action against the drones if they pose a threat to military installations.
Dec 12:
- Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan sees “dozens of large drones” above his home at night in Davidsonville, Maryland, he wrote on X the next morning. In his post he announces he is joining the list of lawmakers demanding answers on the origins of the drones.
- Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., calls the Biden administration “dismissive” about the reported sightings argued it has failed its “obligation to the American people to figure out and tell us what is going on immediately.”
- Democrat U.S. Senators Cory Booker, N.J., Andy Kim, N.J., Kristen Gillibrand, N.Y., and Chuck Schumer, N.Y., post a joint letter to the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday requesting a briefing on how the agencies will “identify and address the source of these incursions.”
Dec 13:
- Trump criticizes the government for not explaining the swarm of drone sightings on Truth Social writing “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says on X that New Yorkers reported similar sightings as the ones in New Jersey and says the state is investigating alongside the FBI and DHS. She assures the sightings do not pose any imminent threat to public safety or national security.
- Democrat New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy pens a letter urging President Joe Biden to send more resources to the state to “fully understand what is behind this activity.”
Contributing: Sudiksha Kochi, Fernando Cervantes Jr., Ahjané Forbes, William Westhoven, Jess Rohan, Saleen Martin, William Westhoven, Kyle Morel, Lisa Robyn Kruse, Jenna Calderón and Amanda Oglesby, USA TODAY Network
Anthony Robledo is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at arobledo@usatoday.com and follow him on X and Instagram @anthonyarobledo.