President-elect Donald Trump urged the U.S. military on Monday to inform the public about the drone sightings reported along the East Coast in recent weeks. Speaking at a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said, “The government knows what is happening. For some reason, they don’t want to comment. I think they’d be better off saying what it is our military and president know.” While he suggested he didn’t believe the drones were from an enemy source, Trump did not confirm whether he had been briefed on the matter.
Earlier that day, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder stated that the drones were not operated by the U.S. military. Ryder explained that, while drone flights are legal and common across the country, “It’s not unusual to see drones in the sky, nor is it an indication of malicious activity or any public safety threat.” He added that drones occasionally fly near military installations but rarely pose a physical threat or disrupt operations.
The wave of sightings, which began in New Jersey in mid-November, has since spread to states like Maryland and Massachusetts. Officials reported on Saturday that most cases involved manned aircraft and no evidence of a national security threat had been found. An FBI official confirmed that of over 5,000 reports, fewer than 100 required further investigation.
Trump’s national security adviser pick, Mike Waltz, noted on Sunday that the incidents reveal gaps in U.S. airspace security. A U.S. official said drone-detecting systems would be deployed at New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, though no timeline was provided.
White House spokesperson John Kirby emphasized Monday that law enforcement assessments found no illegal activity or safety risks associated with the drones.
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