BURSTFormer New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas is “just wrong” about the ongoing drone sightings in his state.
Both Christie and Mayorkas made appearances on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, where they discussed the reports of unusual drones flying over New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas said DHS is “vigilant” in investigating the sightings and called for more resources from the federal government to expand his department’s ability to respond to the uptick in sightings.
Christie agreed that DHS needs more authority, but argued the government and Mayorkas’s answers to questions are causing hysteria among residents.
“I agree that they need more authority, but to not say that is … not unusual activity, it’s just wrong,” Christie said.
“I lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I noticed drones over my house,” he continued.
Christie acknowledged that in today’s rapidly evolving society, if answers are not quickly provided to people, conspiracy theories begin.
Mayorkas and other officials have brushed aside concerns that there is foreign involvement in the drone sightings and noted that there are “thousands of drones” flying every day across the country.
Members of Congress have begun to weigh in on the sightings. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) claimed the drones were Iranian, which the Pentagon disputed. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said he believes the sightings are “almost certainly planes.” Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Sunday called for more answers from Mayorkas.
Christie said New Jersey residents came to him over the weekend asking if he had any information about the drones. He said he didn’t know much, but both the Biden administration and state authorities “have to be more vocal” and tell people what they know about the situation.
He noted that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine could be a cause for concern, as the military uses weaponry drones in combat, which could lead some people to believe the sightings are weapons.
“So, you can see why people are concerned, and it’s a lack of communication from the government at the federal and state level that’s at fault here,” Christie said.
DHS said in a statement to The Hill Sunday that it would respond to congressional inquiries through official channels and is continuing to respond to congressional oversight.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) was briefed by the FBI on the drone sightings Sunday and said his state is ready to assist the federal government “in getting to the bottom of this.”