The abrupt closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday night was reportedly caused by the deployment of an anti-drone laser by Customs and Border Protection officials, not a sudden incursion of drones from Mexican drug cartels as initially claimed by the Trump administration. The incident, which led to a temporary grounding of flights, highlights the challenges of integrating military counter-drone technology into civilian airspace.
According to multiple sources briefed on the situation, the closure was precipitated when CBP officials used a Department of Defense-loaned laser without adequately informing aviation officials about the potential risks to commercial aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration subsequently shut down the airspace for ten days, a decision that was quickly reversed Wednesday morning at the direction of the White House.
Top administration officials initially attributed the closure to a surge of drones from Mexican drug cartels, necessitating a military response. However, other sources indicated the shutdown was prompted by the use of the new counter-drone technology and concerns about its impact on other aircraft.
The incident underscores the growing tension between the military's rapid development of drone-defense weapons and the need for clear protocols for their safe use in civilian airspace. The military has developed an arsenal of guns, missiles, lasers, jammers, and high-powered microwaves to combat drones, but has lagged in establishing rules for their deployment in crowded skies, according to a report.
The New York Police Department has also requested authority from the Trump administration to take down drones in the city, reflecting a broader concern among local officials about the increasing threat posed by the unmanned aerial vehicles. While the NYPD can detect drones, it currently lacks the ability to electronically disable them, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Tuesday.
In other news, former President Donald Trump warned six House Republicans of "consequences" for voting to reverse his tariffs on Canada. Trump posted on social media that any Republican who voted against the tariffs would "seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!"
Meanwhile, podcaster Joe Rogan defended Senator John Fetterman, who has faced criticism from within his own party for supporting voter ID. Rogan stated that Fetterman is a prime example of a politician facing backlash for going against the grain, adding that "They hate that guy now. They're mad at him because he says, I think you should probably have ID to vote."
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