A U.S. Coast Guard official stated certainly one of its vessels was trailed by dozens of drones off the coast of New Jersey lately, based on Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.
Smith, a visitor on “The Story with Martha MacCallum” Tuesday, stated he spent Monday night time on the seaside in Ocean County and spoke to a number of folks, together with a U.S. Coast Guard commanding officer stationed in Barnegat Light.
Smith discovered from the Coast Guard commander that the night time earlier than, “certainly one of their 47-foot vessels, boats, was trailed very carefully by greater than a dozen of these drones.”
“Now, that to me, could be very, very, not simply suspicious, provocative, and this might be a international energy, whether or not or not it’s [Vladimir] Putin, or it might be Xi Jinping in China, or the Middle East, we will’t rule any of that out,” the congressman stated.
NEW JERSEY DRONES: NORTHCOM NOT YET ASKED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS FOR HELP
Photos taken within the Bay Shore part of Toms River of what seem like massive drones hovering within the space at excessive altitudes in New Jersey on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. The drones appeared to be nicely above the 400-feet peak FAA laws permit. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
The Coast Guard didn’t instantly reply to Fox News Digital’s request for affirmation on Smith’s account or remark.
Reports of enormous drones flying over totally different elements of the Garden State, together with President-elect Trump’s Bedminster golf course and close to army analysis websites, have been on the rise in latest weeks.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., stated Wednesday that “very certified” and “dependable” sources consider the thriller drones flying over New Jersey are originating from an Iranian “mom ship” parked off the U.S. East Coast.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew speaks to the press as he meets with President Trump within the Oval Office of the White House on Dec. 19, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“Here is the actual deal,” Van Drew instructed Fox News’ Harris Faulkner. “I’m on the Transportation Committee, on the Aviation Subcommittee, and I’ve gotten to know folks. And from very excessive sources, very certified sources, very accountable sources. I’m going to let you know… Iran launched a mom ship most likely a couple of month in the past that accommodates these drones. That mothership is off the East Coast of the United States of America.”
Van Drew didn’t present the names of the sources who supplied the knowledge, citing confidentiality.
The lawmaker later stated Iran made a take care of China to buy drones, mom ships and know-how.
New Jersey drone sighting map (Fox & Friends/Screengrab)
“…These drones ought to be shot down,” Van Drew stated. “Whether it was some loopy hobbyist that we will not think about, or whether or not it’s Iran – and I feel it very presumably might be – they need to be shot down. We are usually not getting the complete deal, and the army is on alert with this.”
Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh instructed Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin throughout a press briefing on Wednesday that there isn’t a proof that the mysterious drones noticed over New Jersey residential neighborhoods and army bases come from a international adversary.
Singh additionally stated the drones pose no risk to U.S. army installations.
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When requested about Van Drew’s feedback, Singh stated there’s “not any reality” to his claims.
Fox News’ Liz Friden and Taylor Penley contributed to this report.
