Staff Reports
In an unexpected twist worthy of a political thriller, U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, has thrown some serious shade at the Biden administration’s rather underwhelming handling of the ongoing drone debacle. It’s a development that would make even the most hardened cynics raise an eyebrow, given that the drones in question have been buzzing around like they own the place, particularly in the New York/New Jersey region. So, while Democrats might typically be on the side of the current administration, it appears that even Gillibrand is not too keen on the blindfold approach being employed by her own party.
The growing concern among lawmakers is palpable. After all, what unites them more than being left in the dark while the government operates in its usual mysterious way? In a recent appearance on MSNBC — yes, that network — Gillibrand aired out her grievances about the drone situation. She lamented the shroud of ignorance enveloping these unidentified flying objects, expressing frustration (shocking, right?) over the lack of transparency surrounding who controls these drones or what they’re doing. It’s the kind of concern one would expect from a person who might have spent some time watching spy movies where drones are often the harbingers of chaos.
“This is just absolute weakness in the White House.” @WinsomeSears on the Biden administration’s failure to address the questions surrounding the mysterious drones. @dagenmcdowell and @BrianBrenberg break it down. pic.twitter.com/r7svQ6XHEJ
— The Bottom Line (@BottomLineFBN) December 14, 2024
Gillibrand’s frustration has spurred her into action. She has, apparently with the “urgent” tone only Congress can muster, written letters to various agencies, including Homeland Security. Her main point? If drones are being launched from ships offshore, Americans should probably know who is behind it. Gillibrand is sounding the alarm about foreign countries like Iran, China, and Russia possessing advanced drone technology. Considering the global chess match currently unfolding, one must wonder how many more red flags need to be raised before someone in the administration decides to actually answer a question.
On the flip side, the Biden administration’s attitude has been distinctly nonchalant, leaning heavily into the “play dumb” strategy. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas took center stage to assure the public that “lots of drones” are just flying around willy-nilly — recreational and commercial, he proclaims. Apparently, on the government’s radar, the launch of thousands of drones every day is nothing out of the ordinary. Mayorkas’ latest explanation attempts to brush aside the matter by pointing to a new FAA rule that allows nighttime drone flights, suggesting this sudden increase in sightings is merely a coincidence. And Americans everywhere just nod knowingly, believing that government’s version of events like it’s a bedtime story meant to soothe them.
It’s hard to ignore the collective eye roll that follows such statements. Many people are left feeling less reassured and more like characters in a poorly scripted sitcom, where everything just keeps getting weirder and the plot thickens with each new episode. Rather than quelling fears, the Biden administration’s cryptic responses only serve to stoke the flames of conspiracy theories, leaving citizens questioning whether they should be worried about neighborhood drones or preparing for an alien invasion.
As the situation unfolds, one thing seems certain: a growing number of Democrats are starting to feel that the Biden administration’s strategy of playing coy is a far cry from the transparency they so often preach about. It appears that even a faction of the left is realizing that when it comes to national security and safety, sometimes the fog of war can be just as unsettling as the drones themselves. With Gillibrand sounding the alarm, one has to wonder if the administration might finally be forced to shed some light on the technological shadows lurking above.
