Federal report reveals the cause of mysterious drone sightings — but major mystery remains

New York Post - May 17th, 2025
Open on New York Post

In December 2024, federal officials were aware that some drone sightings over New Jersey and New York were actually sanctioned aircraft, yet they withheld this information from the public. An internal TSA presentation revealed that several sightings, initially perceived as mysterious drones, were optical illusions caused by authorized aircraft, such as a Cessna C150 and a UH-60 Black Hawk. These aircraft's movements created the appearance of drones hovering in formation. Additional explanations were provided for sightings over the Salem Nuclear Power Plant and along the Jersey coastline. However, this presentation did not address all incidents, notably the swarm of drones spotted by the U.S. Coast Guard on December 8, 2024. This incident involved drones with festive lights following a patrol vessel, raising further questions about their origin.

The revelation of withheld information has drawn criticism, particularly from former President Trump, who accused the Biden administration of keeping the public

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded and largely accurate account of the mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey and New York. Its strengths lie in its factual accuracy, supported by credible sources and clear presentation, which make the story accessible and engaging to readers. The article effectively addresses a topic of public interest, with timely relevance and potential impact on public discourse.

However, the story could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, particularly from independent experts, to enhance its balance and depth. While the article is clear and well-structured, it could provide more detailed explanations of technical terms to ensure full comprehension by all readers.

Overall, the article is a strong piece of journalism that successfully informs and engages its audience, while also leaving room for further exploration and discussion of the unresolved aspects of the drone sightings.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The news story presents a largely accurate account of the events surrounding the mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey and New York. The claim that federal officials were aware by mid-December that some of the drones were authorized aircraft is supported by internal TSA documents, which were shared by Reason.com. Specific sightings over Somerville, the Salem Nuclear Power Plant, and the Jersey coastline are accurately attributed to authorized aircraft, such as a Cessna C150 and UH-60 Black Hawk, according to the TSA slideshow.

However, the story does not fully address all sightings, specifically the swarm of drones spotted by the U.S. Coast Guard on December 8, which remains unexplained in the federal report. This leaves some room for doubt about the completeness of the federal investigation. The article accurately reports President Trump's accusations against the Biden administration and Biden's subsequent denial of any nefarious activity, aligning with public statements made by both.

The story's factual basis is strong, with most claims verifiable through reliable sources, such as government reports and reputable news outlets. The main areas requiring further verification are the unexplained sightings and the extent of information withheld by federal authorities. Overall, the story is well-supported by evidence, though it leaves some questions unanswered.

7
Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view by including perspectives from both federal authorities and public figures like President Trump and President Biden. It reports on the federal explanation for the drone sightings and acknowledges the remaining mysteries, such as the Coast Guard's report of a drone swarm.

However, the article could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, particularly from independent experts in aviation or drone technology who could provide additional context or alternative explanations. The inclusion of only official government sources and political figures might skew the narrative towards institutional viewpoints, potentially overlooking grassroots or civilian insights.

While the article does not overtly favor one side over the other, the absence of diverse perspectives might lead to an implicit bias towards the official narrative. Addressing this gap could enhance the story's balance and provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting information in a logical sequence that is easy to follow. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, which aids in comprehension and ensures that the content is accessible to a general audience.

Key points and claims are clearly articulated, with specific examples provided to illustrate the federal government's explanations for the drone sightings. The article effectively distinguishes between verified information and areas that remain unexplained, helping readers understand the current state of knowledge about the events.

While the article is clear in its presentation, it could benefit from more detailed explanations of technical terms or concepts, such as "optical illusions" or "wingtip vertices," to ensure all readers fully understand the content. Overall, the article's clarity is strong, with minor areas for improvement.

8
Source quality

The sources cited in the article are credible and authoritative, primarily relying on government reports, official statements, and reputable news outlets like Reason.com. The use of an internal TSA slideshow as a primary source lends significant weight to the story's claims, as it provides direct evidence of the federal government's knowledge and actions.

However, the article could enhance its source quality by including more diverse voices, such as independent aviation experts or eyewitnesses, to corroborate the official explanations and offer additional insights. While the current sources are reliable, they predominantly reflect institutional perspectives, which might limit the scope of the narrative.

Overall, the article's reliance on credible sources supports its factual accuracy and strengthens its reliability. Expanding the range of sources could further bolster the story's depth and credibility.

7
Transparency

The article provides a reasonable level of transparency by referencing specific sources and documents, such as the TSA slideshow, to support its claims. This transparency helps readers understand the basis for the story's assertions and assess their credibility.

However, the article does not fully disclose the methodology behind the federal investigation or the criteria used to determine which sightings were authorized aircraft. Greater transparency in these areas could improve readers' understanding of how conclusions were reached and the potential limitations of the investigation.

While the article is transparent about its sources, it could benefit from more explicit explanations of the investigative processes and any potential conflicts of interest that might have influenced the reporting. Overall, the article's transparency is adequate but could be enhanced with additional context and disclosure.

Sources

  1. https://reason.com/2025/05/09/what-the-feds-knew-about-the-new-jersey-drone-scare/
  2. https://www.govtech.com/products/new-jersey-mystery-drones-were-authorized-by-feds
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_drone_sightings
  4. https://abcnews.go.com/US/mystery-drones-new-jersey-new-york-timeline-what-officials-said/story?id=116824178
  5. https://www.wanttoknow.info/mediaarticles-0-10000