New Jersey state senator calls for limited state of emergency as drone mystery deepens

A New Jersey state senator called for a limited state of emergency Tuesday as the mystery over large drones flying over the Garden State continues to deepen.

“The state of New Jersey should declare a limited state of emergency and ban all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings,” New Jersey Republican Senator Jon Bramnick said in a press release.

In recent weeks, there have been increasing reports of large drones flying over President-elect Trump’s Bedminster golf course and near military research sites in New Jersey. On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that there were dozens of reports of drones on Sunday alone.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that drones flying over New Jersey are no stranger, adding that President Biden has been made aware of the situation and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS ) and the FBI begin an investigation.

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A drone was seen over North Jersey on Tuesday. (Nicholas Lordi)

“So we are definitely aware. The President is aware of this, so we are following the activities closely and coordinating closely with the relevant authorities, including DHS and FBI, to further investigate these incidents,” Jean-Pierre said, before adding that this has not been the case there is still something to share. “Obviously the DHS and the FBI are following this very, very closely.”

When asked whether the federal government had ruled out the possibility that the drones would be controlled by foreign companies, Jean-Pierre promptly replied: “Yes.”

The Federal Aviation Administration first received reports of drone activity in Morris County, which is nearly 2 miles north of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County, on Nov. 18.

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Drone sighting map for New Jersey (Fox & Friends/Screengrab)

Since then, sightings have occurred several miles north of Bedminster in Mendham and Parsippany, as well as other locations in the Garden State.

On Monday, Murphy said there were 49 reports of drone operations on Sunday, mostly in Hunterdon County. The Democratic governor said his numbers also included possible sightings and that the same drone may have been reported more than once.

Federal lawmakers in the state have expressed some concern about the drones, regardless of what side of the aisle they are on.

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“My office has been in contact with Gov. Murphy’s office and our federal agency partners,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said in a post on X. “While the drones currently pose no known threat to the public, my team and I will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Booker also wrote a letter Tuesday to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg calling for greater transparency and full reporting on drone activity over New Jersey.

“In recent weeks, there have been several confirmed sightings of unexplained drone activity over communities and military installations in New Jersey,” Booker wrote. “I recognize that the operational security of ongoing investigations must be maintained and that this situation requires complex interagency coordination.”

“However, there is a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency across the state – among both voters and local officials – despite assurances that the drones pose no known threats to public safety. Therefore, I urge you to share all relevant information about these drones.” I believe that without transparency, rumors, fears and misinformation will continue to spread.

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Senator Cory Booker speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv on October 22, 2023. (Gil Cohen Magen/AFP via Getty Images)

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., said in a statement to Fox News Digital that recent drone sightings in New Jersey are “scary for more than just residents.” They point to the need for change in the state and in the United States

“There has been no transparency with the public and this lack of communication is unacceptable,” Van Drew said. “Voters were told the drones did not pose a threat, but no further information was provided. People need, want and deserve answers now so they no longer have to worry about their safety and privacy.”

As concerns continue to grow, Robert Wheeler, deputy director of the FBI’s Critical II Incident Response Group, told Congress the federal agency knows worryingly little about the mysterious drones hovering over New Jersey.

Asked if Americans were at risk, Wheeler said: “There’s nothing known that would lead me to make that statement, but we just don’t know.” And that’s the worrying part.”

As the FBI investigates the incidents, the agency has asked the public for additional information.

The FAA confirmed earlier this month that it had issued two flight restrictions in response to questionable drone activity reported near Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club.

At the request of “federal security partners,” the agency issued two temporary flight restrictions.

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One restriction affects an area near Solberg-Hunterdon County Airport, which consists of airspace over Trump Bedminster. Flights are also banned over Picatinny Arsenal, a major US Army hub in Dover, New Jersey, which focuses on research and development through its defense center CCDCAC.

The Trump Bedminster ban remained in effect until last week, and the Picatinny Arsenal ban remains in effect until December 26th.

Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.