The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed flight restrictions in the vicinity of former President Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, following reports of suspicious drone activity. Initially reported on November 18th within Morris County, close to the golf club, the drone sightings prompted the FAA to implement temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) at the request of federal security partners. These restrictions encompass the airspace over Trump National Golf Club Bedminster and Picatinny Arsenal, a key U.S. Army research and development facility. The TFRs are expected to remain in effect for the rest of the week over the golf club and until December 26th over the Arsenal.
The FAA emphasized its commitment to safely integrating drones into the national airspace and is actively investigating these unauthorized drone operations. Pilots operating drones illegally face potential penalties, including revocation of certification and substantial fines. Local law enforcement is also involved in the investigation, with reports of additional drone sightings in nearby areas like Mendham and Parsippany. A witness in Parsippany reported seeing multiple drones on Sunday night. While Morris County Sheriff James Gannon has assured the public there's no immediate danger, he encouraged people to provide law enforcement with any clear photos of the drones they might have. The FBI's Newark field office and New Jersey State Police have also joined the investigation. These New Jersey drone incidents coincide with similar reports of unidentified drones observed over joint British-American bases in the UK, raising further security concerns. These bases, some of which house advanced fighter jets, have seen increased security measures in response to the drone activity.
In a separate incident, a drone sighting even caused a brief interruption during a Green Day concert in Detroit in September, highlighting the increasing prevalence of these devices and the potential disruptions they can cause.
