‘This has gone too far’: New York gov demands feds take action after drones block airport runway

Hochul released a statement on the drones blocking air traffic going in and out of Stewart International Airport on Friday evening: "Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace. This has gone too far," Hochul said.

The FBI as well as the Department of Homeland Security, however, have claimed that they have not seen evidence that the mysterious sightings, at least in New Jersey, are a national security threat.

"In mid-November, I directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue, and those efforts are ongoing," the New York governor added. "But in order to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act. This bill would reform legal authorities to counter-UAS and strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones, and would extend counter-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies."

Drone sightings have been reported across New York City and Long Island. Additionally, other sightings have been reported in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

“Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential. Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people," Hochul added in her statement.

Other reported sightings have made Americans concerned. An officer said he witnessed over 50 drones on the coast of New Jersey. “We contacted state police. We contacted the FBI. We contacted the Coast Guard, at which point the Coast Guard went out with their boat and they reported seeing 13 (drones) following their boat,” Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said of the sighting. “And then the Coast Guard also advised that they went over them about 300 feet and had a wingspan of about eight feet.”

President-elect Donald Trump has also weighed in on the topic, calling for the drones to get shot down if the administration does not have any idea what the drones are doing.