Weeks of unexplained drone activity in New Jersey have left residents and officials searching for answers, prompting an active federal investigation led by the FBI. While Governor Phil Murphy has assured the public that there is no known safety threat, the sightings have raised security concerns and frustrations among the community.
The sightings began on November 18 in Morris County, New Jersey, and have since been reported in multiple locations, including Somerset County and even near sensitive sites like the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research facility, and President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued temporary flight restrictions over these properties as a precaution.
Residents have described seeing drones flying overhead, often in clusters, with some comparing their size to bicycles or small cars. These drones are typically active at night and have been observed with flashing lights that switch off when approached by police helicopters. Local officials report they can evade radar detection, raising questions about their technology.
One report from the U.S. Coast Guard detailed an encounter near Island Beach State Park, where multiple low-altitude aircraft were seen near a vessel. While the Coast Guard did not view the drones as an immediate threat, the incident has added to the growing list of puzzling reports.
Federal agencies, including the Pentagon, have ruled out connections to local, state, or federal government activities. Speculation about foreign involvement, such as an Iranian “mothership” off the East Coast, has also been dismissed by Pentagon officials as baseless. However, the Department of Defense recently acknowledged in a news release that unmanned aerial systems, commonly referred to as drones, pose a significant and growing threat to the U.S. homeland.
In response to the ongoing sightings, the FBI and New Jersey State Police are urging the public to report any drone activity. Residents can share tips, sightings, and video evidence by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting information online at tips.fbi.gov.
