16-12-2024 (WASHINGTON) The recent wave of unexplained drone sightings across multiple American states has highlighted significant gaps in US airspace security that require immediate attention, according to Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser designated by President-elect Donald Trump.
Speaking on Sunday’s edition of Face the Nation, Waltz criticised the current administration’s handling of the situation, emphasising the need for a comprehensive defensive strategy that would include protection against drone threats. “We’re witnessing clear gaps between our agencies—the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, and the Defence Department,” Waltz stated.
The phenomenon, which first emerged in New Jersey last month, has since spread to Maryland, Massachusetts, and other states, sparking widespread public concern. A Facebook community dedicated to investigating these sightings has rapidly grown to include nearly 70,000 members.
Whilst the Biden administration maintains a measured stance, with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asserting that no evidence of foreign involvement or security threats has been found, mounting pressure from both sides of the political aisle calls for greater transparency.
Waltz outlined Trump’s vision for enhanced aerial defence, drawing parallels with Israel’s Iron Dome system. “President Trump’s proposed ‘Iron Dome for America’ must encompass drone defence capabilities, not solely focus on conventional threats like hypersonic missiles,” he explained.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar joined the chorus of concerned voices, demanding a comprehensive senatorial briefing. “The public deserves answers when unidentified drones hover above their homes,” she insisted, advocating for stricter regulatory measures.
However, Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, offered a more tempered perspective, suggesting that foreign adversaries would be unlikely to employ drones for surveillance when satellite technology provides a more efficient alternative.
