Recent drone sightings over New Jersey have raised significant concerns, with the FBI admitting a lack of understanding about the unmanned aircraft and their purpose. Assistant Director Robert Wheeler, testifying before a Congressional hearing, acknowledged the unsettling uncertainty surrounding the drones, stating, "We just don't know. And that's the concerning part." Dozens of these drones have been observed near sensitive locations, including a military research facility, prompting an FBI investigation and a call for public assistance.

Governor Phil Murphy reported 49 drone sightings on a single Sunday, primarily concentrated in Hunterdon County. This surge in activity coincided with a joint hearing of two Homeland Security subcommittees focused on unmanned aerial systems. Wheeler confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating that the individuals or groups responsible for the drone flights remain unknown. Representative Anthony Gonzales (R-TX) expressed frustration with the lack of information, questioning the allocation of taxpayer dollars and highlighting public concern.

Wheeler revealed that approximately $500,000 of the FBI budget is dedicated to counter-drone technology and deployment, a figure Congressman Gonzales found inadequate given the current situation. The issue extends beyond New Jersey, as a border official disclosed that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) sensors detected 6,900 drone flights near U.S. borders over a six-week period. Many of these drones, some carrying drugs, hovered just outside U.S. airspace, limiting CBP's ability to intervene. Furthermore, CBP has received no allocated funding for counter-drone measures.

The size and sophistication of the drones observed in New Jersey vary, with some as large as SUVs and others smaller and more agile, resembling "drone motherships" used in international conflicts. Fox News contributor Brett Velicovich suggested that the deployment of these smaller drones, launched from motherships due to range limitations, hints at the potential involvement of a foreign adversary. Adding to the complexity, New Jersey authorities are restricted by FAA regulations from jamming the drones.

This incident echoes a similar event last December when multiple drones entered restricted airspace over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, exposing a lack of clear counter-drone protocols. Brad Wiegmann, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security, emphasized the need for expanded legal authority for law enforcement to address potential drone threats. He stressed the importance of broader site protection, encompassing airports and critical infrastructure, and empowering state and local law enforcement to participate in counter-drone efforts. With current counter-drone authorities set to expire soon, Wiegmann urged Congress for renewal and expansion of these powers, highlighting the nationwide scope of the issue and the limitations of federal resources.