Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas downplayed the latest wave of drone sightings within the tri-state space and emphatically argued the feds can’t simply “shoot” them down amid calls by some lawmakers to just do that.
Mayorkas, showing on CNN Friday night time, insisted many individuals are merely seeing drones that may be bought at “convenience stores” and most cases are “cases of mistaken identity.”
The Homeland honcho informed CNN host Wolf Blizter that his company has seen no proof of anomalous exercise.
“We haven’t seen anything unusual,” Mayorkas mentioned. “We know of no threat. We believe that there are cases of mistaken identity where “drones” are literally small plane — that persons are misidentifying them,” he mentioned.
“There very well may be drones in the sky, of course, but those are commercially available. One can go into a convenience store and buy a small drone,” Mayorkas claimed, including, “But we know of no threat or nefarious activity.”
Blitzer requested Mayorkas why the Division of Homeland Safety had not taken the initiative to take down drones that have been breaking the regulation.
“We can’t shoot a drone out of the sky,” the secretary mentioned, exasperated.
“Our authorities are limited by the United States Coast Guard in the maritime environment, the United States Secret Service in its protection of our national leaders, US Customs and Border Protection with respect to the border,” Mayorkas mentioned, enumerating the rolls of purple tape DHS must navigate earlier than engagement.
The secretary additional warned of civilians trying to down the seemingly unfriendly flyers.
“It’s not as though anyone can take down a drone in the sky,” he mentioned. “That in and of itself would be dangerous.”
Mayorkas additionally took the chance to argue for Congress to carry restrictions on how the Division of Homeland Safety counters drone exercise.
“We have also asked for more authority to give to the state and local officials, under our supervision, because it correctly notes those authorities need to be expanded,” Mayorkas mentioned.
Mayorkas appeared on CNN after President-elect Donald Trump referred to as for the drones to be shot down if the federal authorities isn’t really aware about their origins.
“Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so!,” Trump wrote on Reality Social.
“Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!,” he mentioned.
A number of Republican lawmakers, together with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) have additionally referred to as on the navy to shoot down the drones.
