For weeks, glowing orbs have dotted the night skies of New Jersey and nearby states, fueling speculation, concern, and a flurry of conspiracy theories. Are they rogue drones? Military experiments? Or something more sinister? After analyzing thousands of reports, federal officials say the truth is far less dramatic: there’s no sign of anything unusual, no national security risk, and no immediate danger to the public.
In a joint statement released late Monday, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that the sightings are likely a mix of commercial drones, hobbyist aircraft, and even misidentified stars or planes.
Since mid-November, more than 5,000 tips have poured in from concerned residents, mostly in New Jersey. The unusual activity has led to around 100 credible leads, with federal investigators working alongside state and local authorities to track down operators and rule out illegal activity.
“Having reviewed technical data and citizen reports, we’ve determined that these sightings are a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist aircraft, law enforcement drones, and conventional manned aircraft,” the agencies said after deploying advanced detection tools, including infrared cameras and drone-tracking systems.
Despite the surge in reports, officials remain confident that the drones do not pose a threat. “To date, we’ve found no evidence of anomalous activity, nor do these sightings present any risk to national security or public safety,” the statement emphasized.
The Pentagon has also dismissed speculation that the drones are linked to experimental programs or Department of Defense operations. “To my knowledge, these are not assets belonging to the DoD,” said Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a briefing on Tuesday.
On Capitol Hill, members of the House Intelligence Committee received a classified briefing on the mysterious activity. While reassured that the drones are not tied to federal agencies or foreign actors, lawmakers were left with more questions than answers.
“We’ve been told repeatedly that these are not government operations, but we still don’t know who’s responsible,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the committee’s ranking member. “There’s zero evidence of illegal activity, but the ownership and purpose of these drones remain unclear.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., called for greater transparency, urging federal agencies to share more data to back their conclusions. “If these are manned aircraft or lawful drones, show us the evidence,” he said.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby sought to calm public concerns during an interview on Good Morning America. “The Northeast corridor is one of the busiest airspaces in the country, with thousands of drones flying legally every day,” Kirby explained.
With over a million drones registered with the FAA, Kirby suggested the sightings could simply reflect heightened awareness. “People are noticing more because of the earlier winter sunsets and the increased use of drones for commercial and recreational purposes,” he said.
