Drones Spark Public Alarm, But Mayorkas Says 'Nothing to Worry About'—Demands More Authority

Embattled Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, recently impeached over his handling of the border crisis, attempted to calm fears about the rise in East Coast drone sightings during a weekend interview on ABC News’ This Week.

Mayorkas dismissed public concerns, claiming Americans have “nothing to worry about” regarding reports of drones flying at night, particularly in New Jersey. He assured viewers that the federal government has deployed additional resources, personnel, and technology to support local authorities like the New Jersey State Police.

“There’s no question that people are seeing drones,” Mayorkas admitted. “Some are, in fact, drones. Others are manned aircraft mistakenly identified as drones. There is also duplicative reporting.” He added that recent FAA rule changes allowing drones to be flown at night may have contributed to the surge in sightings.

Despite downplaying the threat, Mayorkas acknowledged that current laws limit what federal agencies can do about unauthorized drone activity. He called on Congress to expand the authority of law enforcement to “counter and incapacitate” drones, a proposal prompted in part by President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion to shoot down suspicious drones.

“We are limited in our authorities,” Mayorkas said. “We need Congress to act to give state and local agencies the tools they need to operate under federal supervision.”

When asked about potential security risks, Mayorkas claimed there is “no foreign involvement” in the sightings, though investigations led by the FBI and DHS are ongoing. “If we identify foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will act swiftly and communicate with the public,” he stated.

Mayorkas’ reassurances come as public trust in his leadership continues to falter. Critics question whether his department is adequately equipped to handle emerging threats like drone surveillance, especially given his impeachment over border mismanagement earlier this year. For now, Americans are left wondering if their concerns are being taken seriously—or if they’re being asked to trust a system that has repeatedly failed to deliver.