President-elect Donald Trump said during a press conference that he will release information about drone sightings across the East Coast, but especially in New Jersey, “one day” into his presidential term.
A reporter asked Trump Jan. 9 about the drones at a Mar-a-Lago Club press conference: “Can you comment on the drones that are flying around New Jersey ports?”
To which Trump responded: “The government knows what is happening. Our military knows where they took off from … They know where it came from, and where it went. And for some reason, they don’t want to comment, and I think they would be better off saying what it is. Our military knows and our president knows and for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense. I can’t imagine it’s the enemy because if it was the enemy they would blast it out. … something strange is going on.”
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2) has been among the loudest voices in the federal government when it comes to reports of SUV-sized drones that the Pentagon, Gov. Phil Murphy and the FBI all have said pose no threat to the public. In December, Van Drew claimed that the drones were launched from an “Iranian mother ship,” but offered no source for his information.
The congressman offered a short statement on his website in response to Trump’s promise of transparency.
“It is unacceptable that these drone incursions have been happening since November, and the people of South Jersey are still left without answers from this government,” he said. “President Trump has always put the American people first, and I have no doubt he will deliver the transparency we have been waiting for. His willingness to take on this issue is exactly the decisive leadership our country needs right now.”
Contact the reporter, Collin Hall, at chall@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 156.
