Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger has weighed in on the mysterious objects spotted over New Jersey in recent weeks, which have sparked wild speculation about drones, UFOs, or even foreign threats. Speaking with CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield, Kinzinger dismissed these theories, confidently attributing the sightings to something far more ordinary: airplanes.
“Every video I’ve seen—on Twitter, on the Internet—are all airplanes,” Kinzinger explained. “Some show an airplane stable in the distance, and people think it’s a drone, but it’s just a jet flying towards you at 30,000 feet. You can even see the lighting.”
According to Kinzinger, if there are drones among the sightings, they appear to comply with FAA lighting requirements, suggesting they’re legal and not tied to any malicious activity. He speculated that these could belong to companies testing drone technology, with no obligation to notify the public if operating within legal limits.
This sentiment aligns with a Saturday statement from the White House, which confirmed that some of the objects were indeed drones but stressed there is no evidence of criminal activity, national security threats, or malicious foreign actors.
In Pequannock Township, Morris County, one New Jersey resident discovered a crashed drone in a residential area, further supporting the drone theory. However, Kinzinger maintains that most sightings likely involve high-altitude jets mistaken for something more mysterious.
While the sightings have caused a stir, government agencies and experts are urging calm, emphasizing that there’s no reason to suspect anything nefarious.
Watch Adam Kinzinger’s full remarks on CNN for more insights into the aerial frenzy over New Jersey.