Mystery drones have been reported hovering over New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and other states, sparking nationwide speculation regarding their origins and purpose.
Federal officials have said there is “no evidence suggesting the sightings pose a security threat,” but have yet to release official explanations. Many officials at the state and city level have expressed concern and frustration along with citizens over the lack of transparency regarding the investigation, with one state senator in New Jersey calling for a temporary ban of private drones until the issue is resolved.
Voices on both sides of the aisle have expressed concern over the drones and pointed out the loss of trust in the federal government’s explanations, with a few outlets turning their distrust towards drone technology itself.
The Wall Street Journal Opinion (Lean Right bias) Editorial Board published an article saying, “We’d ignore [conspiracy theories about the drones], except millions of people might believe it. That’s the world we live in. And sorry to say, the reason isn’t merely the result of conspiracists or crackpots who will exploit doubt for attention…for months [the Biden Administration] covered up the truth about President Biden’s declining mental and physical fitness, only to have it exposed in a debate. The government’s attempt to censor alternative views about Covid shutdowns during the Trump Administration also spread mistrust. The more Americans don’t trust their government, the more panic or protests are possible.”
A writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer (Lean Left bias) argued, “Beyond the immediate danger, the lack of cohesive information-sharing among government agencies constitutes a grave national security risk. Painful reminders of these failures scar our nation’s history. The attacks on Pearl Harbor and 9/11 occurred partly because adversaries exploited blind spots in national defense and agencies failed to properly share intelligence. Must we wait for another tragedy to take this threat seriously?”
Washington Examiner (Right bias) published an op-ed arguing, “Congress should also reconsider the FAA’s light-touch regulation of drones. What are the benefits of such widespread drone use? There may be many. Is it worth the cost of lost privacy and safety? Should drones be allowed to fly at night, considering the fear and confusion they cause? These are questions Congress should answer. It should remember the anger and uncertainty caused by drones this month when it legislates.”
A writer for MSNBC (Left bias) wrote, “The New Jersey drone mystery should be a wake-up call. We need our elected officials to act thoughtfully to protect our privacy against new technological threats, aerial and otherwise. No matter who is operating these drones, they are at best an off-putting nuisance and at worst a violation of our right to privacy.”
