Hochul calls for heightened federal drone defense strategy

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has called for a heightened federal drone defense strategy, following reports of drone sightings in the Northeast toward the end of 2024.

“I am writing to you with respect to the critical need for federal action regarding the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones,” Hochul said in a letter to President Trump last week.

“As you are aware, late last year, the New York City area and the Hudson Valley experienced concerning UAS sightings that underscored the inadequacy of the federal government’s posture and the constrained ability of state authorities to detect and mitigate these threats,” she added.

Hochul wrote two letters, one addressed to Trump and another addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

Drone sightings rattled multiple Northeastern states, most notably New Jersey, in late 2024. Former President Biden’s administration said in December the drones were not a national security or public risk.

“In early June, the Ukrainian military launched a successful surprise attack against Russian strategic air forces using drones,” Hochul said in her letters. “This serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and significant danger these systems present. An attack against strategic military and critical infrastructure in New York poses an urgent danger to the United States.”

“I urge the Administration to proactively improve the UAS detection and mitigation posture in New York and for Congress to extend existing authorities and expand states’ abilities to detect and mitigate these threats themselves,” the Empire State governor added.

The Hill has reached out to the White House, Thune’s office, Schumer’s office, Johnson’s office and Jeffries’s office for comment.