Posted on 12/13/24
| News Source: Pikesville Patch
Davidsonville, MD - Dec. 13, 2024 - Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Friday confirmed he saw what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above his Anne Arundel County home and went on to slam the federal government's "negligent response" amid growing concerns over similar sightings.
In a statement posted on X, accompanied by a video of the unidentified objects in the night sky, Hogan said he witnessed the activity around 9:45 p.m. and it lasted for about 45 minutes.
"Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security," Hogan said. "But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."
The sighting by Hogan is the latest of several in places including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York City.
Thousands of tips have come into the Federal Bureau of Investigation since they began investigating reports in New Jersey of increased drone activity in neighborhoods and near important infrastructure. Local officials in the Garden State are fielding the same reports, including police and fire companies.
Recently, NBC Washington reported that several drones were spotted in the skies over Bowie.
“We see at least three to five different drones in the sky,” Autumn Stasulli told NBC after capturing videos of drones outside her home. “I was shocked. My mouth dropped.”
The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.
“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones.
On Friday, Hogan called the government's response to the drones "unacceptable."
"The government has the ability to track these from their point of origin but has mounted a negligent response," Hogan said. "People are rightfully clamoring for answers, but aren’t getting any."
He continued, "I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue. The American people deserve answers and action now."