Over the past few weeks, an incredible phenomenon has been unfolding on the East Coast, particularly in New Jersey. Large drones—approximately six feet in size—have been spotted flying over populated areas. These drones are likely heavy, and their presence has understandably sparked fear and concern among residents. People have been reaching out to the government, demanding answers. But what has the government said?
Two things: first, they claim they don’t know what these drones are or who is operating them. Second, they insist that there is no reason to be concerned.
Now, I’m sitting here in Texas, watching this unfold from a distance, and I am amazed. I’m amazed at how the government doesn’t seem to understand why they’re losing the trust of the public. This situation is a textbook example of how trust erodes when a government fails to communicate clearly, act competently, and ensure public safety. In this article, I’ll analyze this troubling situation from a trust perspective.
This is an Illegal Activity—Period.
Let’s start with something that isn’t up for debate: flying drones this large, in this manner, over populated areas without the proper permits, is illegal. I know this because I’m a drone pilot myself. While I’m just a hobbyist, I’m familiar with FAA regulations, and they are very clear.
The FAA prohibits drones from flying above 400 feet or over people without special permissions. There are strict requirements for permits, special exceptions, and equipment such as a Remote ID transponder, which allows drones to be identified by air traffic control and others monitoring the airspace. These drones flying over New Jersey lack all of that, according to the government’s own statements.
The only exception to these rules might be government-sanctioned operations. But the government itself claims it doesn’t know who’s operating these drones. If they truly don’t know, then this activity is unequivocally illegal.
Why the Government’s Response is Troubling
The government’s response boils down to two contradictory claims:
“We don’t know what these drones are.”
“There’s no reason to be concerned.”
You can’t have it both ways. If you don’t know what these drones are, then by definition, there is reason to be concerned. To me, this response is infuriating because it fails basic logic. It’s like me handing you a pill and saying, “I have no idea what this pill does, but don’t worry—just take it.” Would you trust me in that scenario? Of course not.
So why should we trust the government here? Let’s explore the possible scenarios.
Scenario 1: The Government is Operating the Drones
If the government is behind these drones, this would be the most benign explanation. But if that’s the case, their statements about not knowing what the drones are would amount to outright lying. Misleading the public is one of the fastest ways to destroy trust.
Even if the drones are part of a government-sanctioned operation, the dangers I’m about to describe still exist: crashes, invasions of privacy, or worse. Being secretive about the operation doesn’t make those risks go away—it just makes the public feel misled and vulnerable.
Scenario 2: The Government Truly Doesn’t Know
Let’s assume the government genuinely has no idea who is operating these drones. That’s even worse because it signals incompetence. These drones have been spotted for weeks—four, five, even six weeks—and they’re still flying. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and FAA are all reportedly investigating, but none of them have identified the operator.
This raises a critical question: if the government can’t even protect the airspace above our homes, how can we trust them to protect us from larger threats?
Think about it: these drones could be:
Terrorist activity: carrying explosives, chemical, or biological weapons.
Espionage: spying on citizens, critical infrastructure, or military assets.
Criminal activity: invading privacy, gathering information for illegal purposes, or more.
Malfunction risks: Drones of this size are heavy. If one crashes, it could cause serious injury or damage.
The mere fact that the government doesn’t know who’s flying them means they can’t ensure our safety. This failure to identify and address the issue is a glaring sign of incompetence, and incompetence erodes trust.
Scenario 3: Communication Breakdown
Here’s another possibility: someone in the government does know who’s behind these drones, but that information isn’t being shared across agencies. This wouldn’t be the first time a lack of communication within the government caused problems. Think back to pre-9/11 intelligence failures, when one agency knew about terrorists training to fly planes but didn’t share that information with others.
If this is the case, the government’s failure to coordinate and share information only highlights another form of incompetence.
The Broader Impact on Trust
This situation has far-reaching consequences, not just for public trust but also for industries like drone aviation. Let me tell you what’s going to happen next: once the government finally identifies the source of these drones, they’re going to impose even stricter regulations on everyone—including law-abiding hobbyists like me.
Hobbyists already follow strict FAA rules, such as keeping drones under 400 feet, using Remote ID devices, and flying only in designated areas. But those of us who follow the law will bear the burden of new restrictions, while those who break the law will continue doing so.
The government’s inability to resolve this issue quickly and competently will harm an entire industry—and trust me, I’m passionate about this hobby.
Why the Government is Losing Trust
The public’s trust in the government is at an all-time low, and this situation only drags it down further. Every scenario I’ve outlined—whether the government is lying, incompetent, or failing to communicate internally—erodes trust.
People are scared. And when people are scared, they turn to the government for clarity, action, and safety. But when the government responds with contradictions, delays, and incompetence, it leaves people feeling vulnerable and abandoned.
If the government wants to rebuild trust, it needs to act swiftly. It needs to figure out who’s flying these drones, communicate transparently, and demonstrate that it can protect the public. Because right now, the message being sent is this: “We don’t know, and we can’t protect you.”
Is it any wonder trust in government is so low?
This is The Trust Show. Thanks for reading. If you want to hear more about how trust impacts everything—from governments to personal relationships—stick around for the next episode. Until then, stay safe and stay skeptical.
Want to hear the whole story? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s15e8-drones-over-new-jersey-and-trust-in-the-government/id1569249060?i=1000680687512
Dr. Yoram Solomon is an expert in trust, employee engagement, teamwork, organizational culture, and leadership. He is the author of The Book of Trust, host of The Trust Show podcast, a three-time TEDx speaker, and facilitator of the Trust Habits workshop and masterclass that explains what trust is and how to build trust in organizations. He is a frequent speaker at SHRM events and a contributor to HR.com magazine.
The Book of Trust®, The Innovation Culture Institute®, and Trust Habits® are registered trademarks of Yoram Solomon. Trust Premium™, the Relative Trust Inventory™, and The Trust Show™ are trademarks of Yoram Solomon.
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