GOP New Jersey Lawmaker Dismisses Pentagon’s Claim Over Drones
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., has criticized senior officials for dismissing reports from what he describes as “very qualified” and “reliable” sources, suggesting that mystery drones seen over New Jersey airspace for weeks could be tied to an Iranian “mothership” stationed off the U.S. East Coast.
“They’ve been incredibly stupid and incredibly weak with this,” Van Drew said Thursday during an appearance on Fox’s America’s Newsroom.
“These aren’t hobbyist drones from someone’s backyard—they’re far more advanced than that. We also know they’re not from any U.S.-based commercial company because we don’t yet possess this level of sophistication,” Van Drew stated. “The government claims it’s not them, so if it’s not them, who is it? We are a full decade behind where China is with drones.”
Van Drew emphasized that credible individuals with high-level security clearances had come forward as whistleblowers to share their concerns.
“These are dependable, credible individuals who have security clearance, and they felt the need to set the record straight,” he said. “They believe there’s a real possibility it could be Iran, with a ship not far from New Jersey’s coast. The drones, as reported by the Coast Guard, are coming and going from the ocean. They’re not pontoons, and they’re not landing on water—they’re landing on something. We’re not being told the truth. The government is treating the American public like we’re stupid.”
For about a month, drones with flashing lights and no clear purpose have been seen flying over residential areas across New Jersey, sparking concern among both residents and officials. Van Drew, a member of the Transportation Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee, stated on Wednesday that confidential sources had informed him these drones might be linked to an Iranian vessel offshore. While this claim has yet to be verified, Van Drew called for the drones to be “shot down.”
During a Wednesday press briefing, Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin asked Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh about Van Drew’s assertions, which Singh dismissed outright.
“There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there’s no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones toward the United States,” Singh said.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also rejected the claims, citing a lack of evidence.
“The FBI has said there’s zero evidence to support this,” Murphy stated. “I’m not sure what he’s [Van Drew] been watching lately, but he might want to tune into the news.”
Murphy also reassured the public on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “There is no known threat to the public at this time.” Nonetheless, New Jersey officials have acknowledged taking the mystery drone sightings “seriously.”
“These drones could very well be launched from a ship hundreds of miles out at sea,” Van Drew said in response to dismissals from officials. “This type of drone is capable of traveling much greater distances. Could it be China? Absolutely. Could it be someone else? It sure could.”
He continued, “Here’s the thing: They don’t know what it is or what it’s about. They haven’t taken one down to analyze it. They claim to know it’s not a threat, but how can they be so certain? That’s nonsense. Why don’t they bring one down, study it, and let us know what’s really going on?”
Van Drew concluded by urging transparency from government agencies.
“I hope they know more than they’re letting on, but it’s disrespectful to keep Congress and the public in the dark. It’s time for them to level with the truth,” he said.