As the mysterious drones flying above New Jersey continue to scare residents, NJ Congressman Chris Smith (R-4) has suggested the U.S. military shoot a drone down.
Smith’s comments came during the House Homeland Security Committee’s hearing on Tuesday.  In the hearing, Smith and other members of the committee were stunned to learn that the FBI does not yet know who is behind these mysterious drones.
FBI Assistant Director of the Critical Incident Response Group Robert Wheeler testified to the committee that there is no evidence of any risk to the public.  However when pressed on the topic, Wheeler admitted: “But we just don’t know. And that’s the concerning part.”
Representative Smith said he was “deeply concerned” after seeing a video recorded by police showing 55 drones coming off of New Jersey’s coast, with many appearing to follow a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel.
Smith said he reached out to the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, saying: “I reached out to the commanding officer at the Joint Base, which is also in my district, and talked to him.  I had a very good conversation with Colonel Anthony Smith.”
Smith asked the Colonel about using fighter jets to shoot a drone down, saying: “Why can’t you deploy them, at least to the ocean, bring one of these down, and find out who’s doing it?”
While the Colonel did say they do have the capability to shoot a drone down, they do not have the authority to do so, as the drones do not appear to be flying over restricted airspace.  It is possible that these mysterious drone flights have not broken the law.
Representative Smith also reached out to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd, asking the US military to act against the drones, but has not received a response.
Yesterday, White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Biden was aware of the drones, but referred to the FBI for more details.
{Matzav.com}