‘Thanks, But We Still Have Questions’: NJ Lawmaker On Drones

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — “Thanks – but we still have questions.” That was the reaction from New Jersey Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (NJ-40) after the White House released a statement about the drone mystery in New Jersey last week.

Nightly drone sightings have been reported across the state for months. Most of the sightings have been happening from dusk to dawn. Federal investigators say they haven’t been able to figure out where the drones are coming from, but have claimed they aren’t a threat.

Federal authorities have acknowledged that some of the drone sightings are real – although they’re likely just local hobbyists or drone enthusiasts legally taking their devices for a spin. But for every “genuine” drone sighting there may be lots of cases of mistaken identity, officials say.

Their explanations didn’t hold much weight with increasingly frustrated residents and local officials, who demanded more transparency from federal agencies such as U.S. Homeland Security and the FBI.

As the mystery mounted, federal officials temporarily banned drone flights in towns across New Jersey, including Short Hills and Cedar Grove.

President Donald Trump pledged to get to the bottom of the issue – and last week, the White House made an announcement about the mystery. Read More: White House Gives Explanation For NJ Drone Mystery

Reading a statement from the president, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the drones were approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for “research” and “various other reasons.” Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals who enjoy flying drones, she said.

“This was not the enemy,” Leavitt told reporters.

Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, the first lawmaker to introduce a resolution requesting a drone investigation, was quick to issue an updated statement about the drone mystery.

DePhillips – who represents the state’s 40th Legislative district – called on officials from the Federal Aviation Administration to testify before lawmakers on the state Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.

Several questions remain, he said:

“Was it research drones that grounded airplanes and diverted a medical helicopter? Were the research drones impeded by the FAA’s flight restrictions issued in December?”

“I thank President Trump for following through on his promise to provide the public with information on the numerous drones that invaded our airspace for weeks, but we still have questions,” said DePhillips, a fellow Republican.

“The federal government needs to clarify what kind of research the drones were allowed to conduct, reveal which commercial or government entities were operating the drones, and explain why local and state officials were kept in the dark,” DePhillips said.

“The quest for answers continues,” he added.

DePhillips is one of five Republicans on the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. The next earliest possible meeting would be Feb. 13.

The 40th District includes the Essex County towns of Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell. It also includes several towns in Bergen and Passaic counties.

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