NJ gov says feds have authority to shoot down drones, ‘wouldn’t be opposed’ to them playing ‘more robust role’

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NJ gubernatorial candidate calls out ‘ridiculous’ lack of intel on drones: ‘We want answers’

N.J. GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli says there’s no reason why the feds shouldn’t be able to identify the source of the drones flying over the Garden State as residents grow more fearful.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says the federal government has the authority to shoot down the mysterious drones spotted flying over his state and that he “wouldn’t be opposed” to them playing a “more robust role” in the matter.

Murphy made the remark during an interview with WNYC as the public and lawmakers remain baffled over the source of the large drones. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., told Fox News this week that a Coast Guard commander said “one of their 47-foot vessels, boats, was trailed very closely by more than a dozen of these drones.” 

When the interviewer suggested whether one of the drones could be shot down so officials could get a closer look, Murphy said: “The feds have that authority, and I’d like to see them play a more robust role. I wouldn’t be opposed to that. Let me put it that way.” 

“I want folks out there to know — listen, you’re frustrated. So are we. But… we’re going to stay at it, I promise you, this is our top priority. But based on everything we know, we don’t see any evidence of a risk to public safety. And clearly, and that’s largely based on the feds input. If that changes, we will shout it from the mountaintop,” Murphy also said. 

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Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes in New Jersey on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. The drones seemed to be well above the 400 feet height FAA regulations allow. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)

The Democrat said his state government is running down every theory of what the source of the drones could be. 

“I’m relying overwhelmingly on the experts in the federal government who do this for a living. There’s no evidence that anything is armed,” he said. “There’s some theories out there. Again, we take nothing off the table. Even if somebody says something crazy with absolutely no evidence. We’ve been running everything down.” 

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Multiple drones were seen over Bernardsville, New Jersey, on Dec. 5. (Brian Glenn/TMX/AP)

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., said Wednesday that “very qualified” and “reliable” sources believe the mystery drones flying over New Jersey are originating from an Iranian “mother ship” parked off the U.S. East Coast. 

However, Murphy called that a “wild assertion” and added “The last thing we need is fearmongering out of some members of Congress.” 

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy speaks during a press conference in Newark in August. He said this week, “There’s some theories out there” and “we’ve been running everything down.” (AP/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

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“There is some sense out there that we know more than we’re saying. I wish in some respects I could tell you the answer is yes, [but] we don’t. And I believe the feds. If this is a U.S. government activity, then I’ll be the most surprised guy in the state,” he concluded. 

Fox News’ Maria Paronich and Greg Wehner contributed to this report. 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.