Mystery drones pose no “threat to the public,” Murphy says

After more than two weeks of unexplained nighttime sightings over New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday that the mysterious drones posed no threat to the public.

“We are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating closely with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter,” Murphy said in a message Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There is currently no known risk to the public.”

Murphy said he had convened a briefing call with senior officials and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Officials from the state police and the state office for internal security and preparedness also took part in the meeting.

MORE: More mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey This is what we know.

It was Murphy’s first official mention of the drone sightings.

According to police, large groups of drones have appeared over northern New Jersey at night since November 18, particularly over Morris and Somerset counties. Some of the drones were the size of small cars and small airplanes, witnesses claimed.

The FBI is investigating the reports to determine whether the drones pose a threat and has asked for the public’s help in reporting sightings and submitting videos and photos of the flights.

MORE: The FBI is asking New Jersey residents to help solve the drone mystery

The FAA has closed airspace to drones over the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster and the Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County, where unauthorized overflights were reported last month.

The drones also impacted local emergency responders, hindering a rescue helicopter trying to pick up a victim of a car crash near Raritan Valley Community College in Somerset County last month.

U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., listened to the briefing with Murphy and said in a social media post that he was taking the situation seriously.

“I will continue to urge federal authorities to work quickly to provide the public with a full understanding of the situation and work toward a resolution,” he said in a post on X.

Other unnamed members of Congress also attended the Wednesday briefing. Messages left at the offices of Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Rep. Josh Gottheimer were not immediately returned.

Murphy’s office did not immediately respond to questions about whether FBI officials attended the meeting.