The US Homeland Security secretary has said states need the power to shoot down drones following criticisms of the government’s response to sightings across the East Coast.
Alejandro Mayorkas made the comments after state officials in New York and New Jersey said that Joe Biden’s administration had failed to get a grip on the issue.
Kathy Hochul, the New York governor, said drone activity had closed down the runways at Stewart International Airport.
“We want state and local authorities to also have the ability to counter drone activity under federal supervision,” Mr Majorkas told ABC News programme This Week on Sunday.
“That is one important element that we have requested, and we’ve heard it echoed by the state and local officials themselves.”
MORE: