Fed up with unanswered questions surrounding a swarm of mysterious flying objects, a New Jersey sheriff decided to take matters into his own hands by sending a drone to track them. Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardi deployed his office’s industrial drone Thursday night to track down one of the mysterious unmanned aircraft that was spotted swarming the sky. However, the efforts were in vain. The drones, described as SUV-sized and with an 8-foot wingspan, easily evaded pursuit, the New York Post reported.
The mystery began when a local police officer reported seeing around 50 drones “coming out of the water.” Alarmed by the sighting, police alerted state police, the FBI, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Coast Guard officials soon confirmed that 13 additional drones were tracking one vessel, raising concerns about airborne intrusion. The drone reportedly emitted no heat signature, making it impossible to track with traditional thermal imaging, and demonstrated an uncanny ability to maneuver beyond detection range.
President Trump’s abuse of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
Amid mounting hysteria, President-elect Donald Trump has inserted himself into the narrative with a sharp dig at an old rival. President Trump shared an AI-generated meme on Truth Social and Twitter that shows former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie receiving a McDonald’s Happy Meal delivered by drone. The meme is a thinly veiled jab and follows Christie’s vocal criticism of Trump during the 2024 Republican primary. Mr. Christie, who has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race, has centered his campaign on attacking Mr. Trump’s leadership and legal issues, calling him a “failed leader” and praising his personal interests over the nation. He accused them of giving priority to
Trump has called for the drone to be “shot down,” but Christie has chosen to remain silent in response to both the mysterious sighting and Trump’s provocation.
pic.twitter.com/IVKeU3dqY6
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2024
Expanding drone sighting information
Since the first sighting on Nov. 18, reports of mysterious drones have surged to 12 counties in New Jersey and have spread to eastern Pennsylvania and parts of upstate New York. Many residents, panicked by the unexplained aerial activity, are speculating about the origins of the drones. Some believe it may be an experimental technology, while others fear a foreign enemy may be behind the phenomenon.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI, working with local authorities, reported that most of the sightings were likely legally operating manned aircraft. While officials maintain that drones are not dangerous, prominent lawmakers, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, have called for greater transparency and the development of counter-drone measures.
