E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

Biden admin says it doesn't have authority to shoot down mysterious drones as Trump offers action plan
[FoxNews] A series of drone sightings over New Jersey and near U.S. military installations that began in mid-November has residents concerned and lawmakers demanding answers as their origins and purpose remain unknown.

FAST FACTS
  • A series of unidentified drone sightings near U.S. military installations and over residences in New Jersey since mid-November has caused alarm.

  • White House national security communications adviser John Kirby has said many of the purported drone sightings are actually lawfully operated manned aircraft and that there is no evidence of a national security or public safety threat.

  • Frustrated residents who believe the government's answers are insufficient have threatened to take matters into their own hands and shoot them down.

MAYORKAS SAYS GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE AUTHORITY TO SHOOT DOWN DRONES
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday said the government doesn't have the authority to shoot down drones and believes reports of some sightings are cases of mistaken identity.

Mayorkas appeared on CNN when he was asked about why the federal government doesn't take down one of the many drones that have been spotted across multiple states in recent weeks.

“Our authorities are very limited,” Mayorkas told CNN host Wolf Blitzer, citing missions involving unmanned aircraft conducted by various federal agencies. "We have various authorities that are discreet to their particular missions. We can't just shoot a drone out of the sky."

Mayorkas said officials believe reported drone sightings are “cases of mistaken identity” where drones are actually small aircraft “where people are misidentifying them," noting that some can be purchased at "convenience stores."

“We know of no threat or nefarious activity,” he said.

Mayorkas noted that officials have asked Congress to expand the scope of authority to empower local and state officials to counter drone activity.

“Those authorities need to be expanded,” he said.

Earlier in the evening, President-elect Trump called for the Biden administration to start providing answers about the drones or shoot them down.
Posted by: Skidmark 2024-12-14
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=729997