Following a classified House Intelligence Committee briefing on recent drone sightings, Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) voiced concerns about the lack of a robust legal framework for drone security. He challenged the Biden administration's assurance of no significant threat, citing approximately 100 ongoing investigations into these sightings, a subset of the initial 6,000 reports, many of which were later identified as conventional aircraft or satellites.

Crenshaw highlighted the fragmented authority over drone mitigation, spread across agencies like the DOJ, DOD, DOE, and DHS, with limited and often facility-specific jurisdictions. This fragmented approach creates legal ambiguities, potentially exposing even government entities to criminal liability for downing unauthorized drones. He pointed out that several bills aimed at addressing these issues have been languishing in Congress, but he anticipates renewed focus on them in light of the recent events.

The Congressman also emphasized the absence of a clear protocol for reporting and responding to drone incursions. He noted the lack of designated lead agency, analogous to a 911 system for drone incidents, leaving uncertainty about who is responsible for intervention, whether through disabling, capturing, or other methods. This ambiguity extends to state and local authorities, who often lack the resources and legal authority to effectively manage these situations. Crenshaw suggested that this lack of clarity is contributing to public unease and questions about how to report suspicious drone activity.

A joint statement released by the DHS, FBI, FAA, and DOD prior to the briefing attributed the majority of sightings to a mix of legitimate commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones, along with misidentified manned aircraft and celestial objects. The agencies stated they had found no evidence of anomalous activity posing a national security or public safety risk. While acknowledging a small number of drone sightings near military installations, including restricted airspace, they emphasized that such incidents are not unprecedented.