US Homeland Security secretary Alejandro MayorkasWhile he dismissed concerns about unidentified drones spotted over New Jersey, he said, “We can’t just shoot them out of the sky.”
Speaking to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Friday, Mayorkas said the unidentified drones did not pose any malicious intent or a security risk.
He stressed: “We are not aware of any threats or nefarious activity, and I would like to reiterate, Wolf, that we will be transparent in our communications if we learn of any cause for concern.”

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday evening called on authorities to shut down these unidentified drones that have been spotted across New Jersey and the country. When asked about Trump’s proposal, Mayorkas reiterated that there had been no unusual activity or threats.
Mayorkas declared, “We can’t just shoot a drone out of the sky,” after emphasizing that its powers are “very limited.”
He continued: “We have repeatedly gone to Congress asking for more authority to combat drone activity, and we have also asked to give more authority to the state and local officials we oversee, because he rightly states that these powers need to be expanded.”
These statements follow increasing sightings throughout New Jersey and New York, as well as numerous observations of aerial objects in Delaware and Philadelphia counties, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reports.
The Pentagon issued a statement Wednesday denying claims that any foreign state was responsible for the mysterious drones spotted near critical military facilities in New Jersey.