Podcast host Joe Rogan expressed his unease about mysterious drones spotted across the tristate area, saying he felt “genuinely concerned” after watching a video that presented an unverified theory about these unmanned devices potentially detecting harmful substances.
John Ferguson, who heads a Kansas-based remote aircraft systems company, shared a detailed TikTok video where he speculated that the drones might be trying to “smell” something such as a gas leak, “radioactive material,” or another substance on the ground.
“The only reason why you would ever fly an unmanned aircraft at night is if you’re looking for something,” Ferguson explained in the video, clarifying that he doesn’t suspect any malicious intent behind the drone activity.
“So my belief is they’re trying to smell something on the ground — gas leaks, radioactive material, whatever,” the CEO added.
Ferguson described his theory as an educated guess rooted in his professional experience, but he admitted it was purely speculative. “I’ve not bounced this off anybody,” he said.
“So if you think it’s bulls–t, whatever, that’s cool. I don’t want to spread misinformation, as we know that there’s a lot of that going around,” Ferguson remarked in the video.
The idea gained traction online, including from Joe Rogan, who shared his thoughts on the ongoing drone phenomenon that has puzzled residents of New Jersey and New York for weeks.
“This is the first video about these drones that has got me genuinely concerned,” Rogan posted on X on Sunday.
The well-known podcaster had previously expressed skepticism toward government explanations, calling them “sus.” This came after John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated that the drones posed no public safety risk and that many reported sightings were actually of manned aircraft.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also attempted to allay fears during an appearance on Sunday. He attributed some of the drone sightings to relaxed regulations that now permit nighttime drone flights.
“Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones,” Mayorkas said. “Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones. And we do see duplicative reporting.”
Mayorkas emphasized that the Department of Homeland Security has implemented measures, including deploying personnel and technology, to investigate any potential threats. “If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American people accordingly,” he said in an interview with ABC News.
“Right now, we are not aware of any. If we become aware of any, we will communicate accordingly and take appropriate action,” Mayorkas reiterated.
The unexplained drone sightings have caught the attention of politicians from both parties. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for federal agencies to use radar technology to identify and monitor the drones.
Schumer, alongside Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Andy Kim (D-NJ), sent a formal letter to the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration last week. The letter urged these agencies to explain what steps they are taking to “identify and address the source of these incursions.”
{Matzav.com}