A series of unexplained drone sightings over military bases and restricted airspace in New York and New Jersey has sparked growing concern in Congress, with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) suggesting they could be “spy drones” operated by China.
McCaul’s alarming assertion came during a press briefing on Tuesday, shortly before members of the House Intelligence Committee received a classified briefing from executive branch officials on the issue.
“We want answers, but the response I’m getting is, ‘We don’t know whose drones these are,’” McCaul told reporters. “I was with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who said these drones have been reported over military sites and bases. I would not think those are friendly. I would think those are adversarial.”
McCaul said the unexplained aircraft could be consistent with China’s ongoing espionage tactics, pointing to reports of Chinese entities buying land near U.S. military installations. “My judgment based on my experience is that those that are over our military sites are adversarial and most likely are coming from the People’s Republic of China,” McCaul said. “I believe they’re spy drones, and Communist China is very good at this stuff.”
Reports of unidentified drones have increased in recent weeks, with sightings above New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle. Over the weekend, an unidentified aircraft caused a temporary closure of Stewart International Airport in New York, adding to public anxiety.
Despite the mounting concern, federal agencies, including the FBI, FAA, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security, have downplayed the threat. In a joint statement released Monday, they attributed the sightings to “lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones.”
White House spokesman John Kirby echoed this sentiment last week, asserting that authorities had not been able to substantiate claims of foreign involvement or corroborate visual sightings reported by state and local law enforcement.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also suggested the drones were likely commercial or fixed-wing aircraft, adding to the Biden administration’s efforts to minimize concerns.
McCaul remains unconvinced by these explanations, emphasizing the need for clarity and swift action. “We’re not getting answers, and I think it’s because our government does not know who is behind them—and that is very disturbing to me,” he said.
He expressed particular concern about drones spotted near military sites, highlighting their potential security implications. “They seem to think that most of them are American-based commercial [drones]. It’s the ones over the military bases that I can’t explain, and they can’t either,” he added.
The unexplained sightings have fueled speculation across the political spectrum. President-elect Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of withholding information from the public, suggesting a possible cover-up.
“Look, our military knows where they took off from—if it’s a garage, they can go right into that garage,” Trump said Monday. “They know where it came from and where it went, and for some reason, they don’t want to comment. And I think they’d be better off saying what it is. Our military knows, and our president knows.”
While Trump dismissed the notion of the drones being operated by an enemy nation, he added, “For some reason, they don’t want to tell the people, and they should.”
McCaul’s claims align with broader concerns about China’s alleged espionage activities in the United States. Over the past several years, Chinese entities have reportedly engaged in a variety of tactics to gather intelligence, including purchasing land near sensitive military sites and leveraging advanced technology for surveillance.
While there is no concrete evidence linking China to the recent drone sightings, experts warn that the technology and tactics described are consistent with known espionage methods employed by adversarial nations.
Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence received a closed-door briefing Tuesday from representatives of the FBI, CIA, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. While the contents of the briefing remain classified, lawmakers have called for increased transparency and accountability from the administration.
The surge in drone activity has raised public alarm, with many Americans questioning the government’s ability to address potential threats in domestic airspace. Experts caution that while not all drone sightings are nefarious, the lack of definitive answers risks undermining public confidence in national security.
President-elect Donald Trump on Monday accused President Biden and his subordinates of a cover-up — but said he doesn’t believe they are the work of a hostile foreign power.NJ STATE POLICE
As investigations continue, lawmakers and officials are urging vigilance and cooperation to identify the source of the drones. McCaul called for an enhanced strategy to detect, track, and mitigate potential threats posed by unidentified aerial systems, particularly those near sensitive military locations.
“The American people deserve answers,” McCaul said. “We need to know who is behind these drones and what their intentions are.”
With growing bipartisan concern over the issue, the pressure is mounting on the Biden administration to provide clarity and ensure the security of U.S. airspace. Whether the drones are commercial, hobbyist, or a more sinister foreign threat, the mystery remains—and so does the public’s demand for transparency.
