Biden Administration Admits Lack of Authority to Shoot Down Drones Swarming the East Coast

Unsettling news has emerged regarding unidentified drones buzzing above the East Coast: the Biden administration admits it lacks the power to address the situation effectively.

In a Friday interview on CNN, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged the federal government’s inability to neutralize these drones, regardless of their purpose. This revelation follows reports of multiple drone sightings, including one over a naval weapons station in New Jersey, as reported by ABC News.

Bill Addison, public affairs officer for Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey, confirmed the incidents: “While no direct threats to the installation have been identified, we can confirm multiple instances of unidentified drones entering the airspace above Naval Weapons Station Earle. The base remains prepared to respond to any potential risks, leveraging robust security measures and advanced detection capabilities.”

Despite such assurances, Mayorkas admitted the government’s hands are tied: “Our authorities are very limited,” he told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “We have various authorities that are discreet to their particular missions. We can’t just shoot a drone out of the sky.”

He also noted the ease of acquiring drones: “They’re very, well, maybe drones in the sky, of course, but those are commercially available. One can go into a convenience store and buy a small drone.” He added there have been “cases of mistaken identity” where small aircraft were misidentified as drones, but insisted, “We know of no threat or nefarious activity.”

Mayorkas urged Congress to grant broader authority to handle such threats: “Those authorities need to be expanded,” he stated.

Earlier, Mayorkas issued a statement addressing ongoing investigations: “The feds and local authorities continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” He emphasized that detection efforts have not corroborated the visual sightings: “We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey with numerous detection methods but have not corroborated any of the reported visual sightings with electronic detection.”

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump criticized the administration’s inaction. On Truth Social, he wrote: “Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”

This controversy adds to a series of drone-related incidents during Biden’s presidency. In early 2023, a Chinese spy balloon crossed the continental U.S. before being shot down over the Atlantic Ocean. NBC News reported that officials had initially planned to let it pass unnoticed: “Before it was spotted publicly, there was the intention to study it and let it pass over and not ever tell anyone about it,” an insider revealed.

In 2024, a drone allegedly launched by a Chinese citizen captured images of the USS Ronald Reagan at a Japanese naval base. The footage was shared online, sparking further concerns about surveillance vulnerabilities.

Now, with drones reportedly flying over sensitive U.S. sites like naval weapons stations, the Biden administration has reiterated its need for expanded authority. Whether such measures are enacted remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: time is running out for the outgoing administration to address these unresolved security challenges.

In less than two months, a new leadership team will take the reins in Washington. Whether this will bring a more decisive approach to such threats remains to be seen.