RELEASE: Gottheimer Demands More Information from FAA Following White House Statement on Drone Activity

NEW JERSEY — Today, January 28, 2025, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demanding more information following the White House’s statement that recent drone activity over New Jersey was “authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons.”

“I’m glad the White House confirmed today that there is no national security threat related to the recent drone activity over New Jersey. However, today’s briefing raised new questions and confusion,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’ve reached out to the FAA and asked them to immediately clarify what they meant by ‘research and various other reasons.’ As I’ve been urging for months, I am also calling on the FAA to hold a public briefing to address the concerns of Jersey families. Transparency is essential, and the public deserves clear answers.”

Since December, Gottheimer has urged federal agencies, including the FAA, DHS, and FBI, to be more transparent and brief the public on drone activity in New Jersey. 

Last Congress, Gottheimer announced a comprehensive Drone Response Strategy, including legislation to equip law enforcement with the resources they need to help track drone activity, coordinate with their federal partners, and take out drones that shouldn’t be in the air. Gottheimer also helped introduce the bipartisan DRONE Act, which would establish a two-year prison sentence for anyone who uses a drone to interfere with emergency-response activity, law-enforcement activity, or military operations.

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