Joe Biden breaks silence on 'nefarious' drone invasion after Trump accuses him of hiding information
- 'We're following this closely, but so far no sense of danger,' Biden said
- Trump said the government knows what is happening
President Joe Biden has broken his silence on the mystery drone sightings over New Jersey and New York, declaring there is 'nothing nefarious' about them.
'Nothing nefarious apparently, but they're checking it all out,' he said at the White House on Tuesday night as he left for Wilmington, Del. His grandson Baby Beau was at this side.
'We're following this closely, but so far no sense of danger,' he added.
His comments came after Donald Trump accused the president and Pentagon of hiding intelligence about the drones.
'The government knows what is happening,' the president-elect said.
President Joe Biden, with his grandson Baby Beau, breaks his silence on the drone sightings
Unexplained drone sightings have been reported over military bases and airports in recent days in the northeastern United States.
The sightings have gone viral on social media, sparking conspiracy theories about foreign reconnaissance, military exercises or even aliens.
Trump, speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, said: 'For some reason they don't want to comment. And I think they'd be better off saying. Our military knows, and our president knows... and for some reason [they] want to keep people in suspense.'
He added: 'I can't imagine it's the enemy, because if it was the enemy they'd blast them down. Even if they were late. Something strange is going on. For some reason they don't want to tell the people, and they should, because the people are really...'
The president-elect pointed out he was at risk: 'I mean, they happen to be over Bedminster.'
Trump has a private home on his golf course there.
'I think maybe I won't spend the weekend in Bedminster. I've decided to cancel my trip,' he added.
But Biden seemed to downplay the matter.
'There's a lot of drones authorized up there. I think one started it and they all -- everybody wanted to get in the deal,' he said.
The bizarre unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) were first noticed hovering over New Jersey over a month ago, yet neither local or federal authorities have offered an explanation behind the lights that dash across the sky from dusk to dawn - notably disappearing during daylight.
Donald Trump speaking during the first press conference at Mar-a-Lago since his victory says the the military 'knows' where the flurry of mysterious drones is coming from
Unexplained drone sightings have mounted throughout the Northeast, prompting residents as well as state and local officials to demand answers
Thousands of Americans have reported sightings. Although the White House said only a handful required an investigation.
More than 5,000 tips have been received in recent weeks, but only 100 required further examination, John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, said on Monday.
He said the sightings included a 'combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones.'
He noted more than 1 million drones were registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Biden administration is trying to calm the hysteria but public pressure is growing for an investigation.
Large drones that have reportedly plagued states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York
Monmouth County is home to the Naval Weapons Station Earle, a navy base. Experts have mused that foreign powers could be targeting areas like this which harbor intelligence and weapons bases. (Pictured: points of interest in NJ where drones have been seen overhead)
The Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have all been probing what is going on, and its of particular concern because these drones are flying over sensitive U.S. military instillations.
As the unsettling sightings have racked the minds of residents living in the area with worry, the lawmakers representing these neighborhoods have been bombarded with questions.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is demanding answers about the mysterious phenomenon and wants to know 'what the heck is going on.'
'We're here today because it's not a bird, it's not a plane, it's a drone,' Schumer began a press conference over the weekend. 'And when it comes to drones, people in the New York area and all across the country have more questions than answers.'
Schumer is the highest-ranking Democrat in politics outside of the White House, and his demands that the Pentagon, DHS and FBI provide answers are the weightiest yet outside of the executive branch.
