Boebert Calls for Drone Transparency and U.S. Supply Chain Control

2 min read

Law enforcement agencies in the United States currently operate thousands of drones, yet there is no official public count of how many are in use, according to Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and state agencies do not maintain a public list of these unmanned aircraft systems. Industry estimates suggest police drone programs may number in the thousands, with some reports as high as 6,000 units.

Need for Federal Transparency and Oversight

Boebert argues that Congress should not rely on corporate executives for data on drone usage. Instead, she urges the Department of Transportation, FAA, DOJ, and the Office of Justice Programs to publicly disclose drone fleets and brief the House and Senate. She emphasizes the importance of transparency to prevent unchecked aerial surveillance of American citizens.

Chinese Drone Concerns and Supply Chain Risks

Boebert highlights that many police drones are manufactured in China, raising national security concerns. She calls for a complete ban on Chinese hardware and software in U.S. law enforcement drones, stating that no component, from chips to cloud logins, should originate from the People’s Republic of China. She urges the enforcement of existing federal laws, such as Section 848 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 and the American Security Drone Act of 2023, to ensure American supply chains are used.

Legal and Constitutional Protections

Boebert stresses the importance of protecting the Fourth Amendment and ensuring that drone use adheres to legal processes, similar to wiretaps. She argues that persistent neighborhood surveillance via drones is akin to a general warrant and should require proper legal authorization. She also calls for the prohibition of weaponized drones funded by Department of Justice grants, emphasizing that law enforcement should not operate aerial weapons over American homes.

Call for Congressional Action and Public Accountability

Boebert urges Congress to investigate and coordinate with executive agencies to determine the number of drones in use, their missions, and operational rules. She advocates for the registration of existing drone fleets within 30 days of deployment to ensure accountability and transparency. She emphasizes that tax dollars should be used for real emergencies, not for continuous aerial surveillance.

Source: Daily Caller

Written by

Ryan Wilson