EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), said China is the “greatest threat” to the United States and that President-elect Donald Trump will bring “peace through strength, not peace through appeasement.” 

Gimenez, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital the CCP is the “adversary we have to watch, both militarily and economically.” 

“China is making great strides around the world,” Gimenez said, pointing to its capacity in production, specifically with defense materials and weapons. “It surpasses that of the United States’ and we have seen that we are lacking.” 

NATO CHIEF URGES MEMBERS TO ‘TURBOCHARGE’ DEFENSE PRODUCTION AS HE PAINTS PICTURE OF A WORLD BOUND FOR WAR

Gimenez said the Russian-Ukraine war has “demonstrated to us that our defense capacity has been degraded over the decades.”

“It shows we could run out of munitions fairly quickly if we had a prolonged fight with China,” he said, warning that China also “has the ability to produce many more ships than we do.” 

Gimenez said the U.S. is “trying to do catch-up.” 

“We have to update how we do things at the Pentagon, we have to be more nimble, we have to get the private sector involved, and we have to eliminate bureaucracy that has hampered our ability to protect ourselves,” he said. 

‘BE AWARE’: HOUSE LAWMAKERS DESCRIBE WHAT IT’S LIKE LIVING UNDER THREAT BY CHINA, IRAN

But as for the approach to the China threat, Gimenez blasted the Biden administration, specifically President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

This view shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (VCG via Getty Images/File)

“I think China, with Biden and Blinken, thought they could do just about anything they wanted or thought they could fool them,” he said. “The Biden administration was always exhibiting weakness and trying to appease our enemies, whereas Trump knows exactly who our friends are, who our enemies are and is going to put the security of America first.”

Gimenez added, “He understands that the security of America lies in peace through strength, not peace through appeasement.”

As for confronting the threat in the coming months, Gimenez pointed to the importance of the U.S. being energy independent.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Getty Images/File)

Gimenez said he wants to “make America the energy spigot of the world, where the world goes to get energy is America.” 

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“It would help our financial situation, our balance sheet, and give us the ability to help our friends and weaken our enemies,” he said.

“We could use our energy dominance as an economic weapon against our enemies, helping our friends and hurting our enemies,” he continued. “We can substitute Iranian and Venezuelan oil with American oil, Russian oil with American oil, and then starve those countries which are allied with China of their greatest source of revenue and then impede their ability to help China.”

“If China finds itself isolated in the world, I think that’s the best way we can contain this threat,” he said. “But we have to project strength and the willingness to confront aggression by the CCP.”

President Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a virtual summit at the White House on Nov. 15, 2021. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

As for the House Select Committee on the CCP, he said they have “much more work to do.” 

“The China threat is increasing,” he said, noting that the committee is bipartisan in its nature and that members on both sides of the aisle have “bought into that China is the threat and that China will be the threat.”

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“It’s not climate change, it’s China,” he said. “And we have to confront that threat or live in a world that is dominated by the Chinese Communist Party.”

“And Trump is going to project strength and back those words with action.”

U.S. national security officials sought to dispel concerns about the mysterious drones flying over the Northeast in a recent call with reporters, one going as far as describing nationwide uneasiness as “a slight overreaction.”

The call, attended by Fox News Digital Saturday, was hosted by senior Biden administration officials, including representatives from the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Security Council (NSC), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD).

The senior officials remained tight-lipped about the origins of the drones, which are still being investigated. The mysterious aircraft were first spotted flying above northern New Jersey in mid-November and have been repeatedly seen by thousands of residents over the past few weeks.

During the call with reporters, an FBI official said his agency has received 5,000 tips since the first mysterious drone was seen flying above the Garden State in November. Of those 5,000 tips, fewer than 100 warranted further investigation, the official said.

MORE THAN 20 DAYS INTO PHENOMENON, PENTAGON STILL HAS NO ANSWERS ABOUT ORIGINS OF MYSTERIOUS NJ DRONES

The FBI official added that investigators have found no evidence of large-scale unmanned drone activity despite the recent uptick in drone activity in recent weeks.

“We’re doing our best to find the origin of that specific … those drone activities,” the official said. “But I think there has been a slight overreaction.”

Echoing comments from the FBI representative, a DHS official noted that, while his agency is not dismissing all tips about the drones as non-credible, “the amount of actual drone activity is likely less than what’s being reported.”

A DOD official added that the agency has gathered “no intelligence or observations that would indicate that [the drones] were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent.”

“But, you know, just to simply tell you, we don’t know,” the representative said. “We have not been able to locate or identify the operators or the points of origin.”

DRONE MYSTERY: NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS THREATEN TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS IF GOVERNMENT DOESN’T ACT

New Jersey State Assemblyman Paul Kanitra took a photo of what appears to be multiple drones hovering in the New Jersey sky. (Paul Kanitra/Fox News @ Night)

The Pentagon official added that there are limitations in terms of investigating the drones’ sources.

“We’re also significantly restricted, and rightfully so, in fact, prohibited from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance here in the homeland,” the spokesperson noted. “So, we don’t have the same capabilities and the same methods that we would employ in other locations outside of the homeland to determine points of origin.”

“Here, on the military side, we are just as frustrated with, you know, with the irresponsible nature of this activity,” the official conceded.

An NSC official echoed the DOD representative’s sentiment, arguing there is no evidence foreign adversaries are involved with the drones, and there is no proof of any threat to public safety.

Map showing some of the locations where mystery drones have been spotted in December 2024.  (Fox News)

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“Obviously, we are taking this incredibly seriously at this point,” the NSC official said. “We have not identified any basis for believing that …. there’s any criminal activity involved, that there’s any national security threat, that there’s any particular public safety threat or that there’s a malicious foreign actor involved in these drones.”

Fox News’ Daniel Scully contributed to this report.

President-elect Trump named a couple of key first-term allies to roles in his second administration, including Richard Grenell.

Grenell was the incoming president’s pick as presidential envoy for special missions, a post that will likely drive the administration’s policies in some of the most contentious regions of the world. 

“Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea,” Trump said in the announcement Saturday evening.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES MORE NOMINATIONS, INCLUDING DEVIN NUNES, TROY EDGAR AND BILL WHITE

Grenell was Trump’s intelligence chief during the president’s first administration.

“In my First Term, Ric was the United States Ambassador to Germany, Acting Director of National Intelligence, and Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Negotiations,” Trump said. “Previously, he spent eight years inside the United Nations Security Council, working with North Korea, and developments in numerous other Countries.”

President-elect Trump chose Edward Walsh as ambassador to Ireland. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump also announced Edward Sharp Walsh as his pick to serve as U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

NEW POLL REVEALS WHAT AMERICANS THINK OF TRUMP’S TRANSITION DECISIONS 

“Edward is the President of the Walsh Company, a very successful nationwide construction and real estate firm. He is a great philanthropist in his local community, and previously served as the Chairman of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority Board,” Trump announced.

President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance at an election night watch party in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP/Evan Vucci)

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The picks are the latest in a string of nominations the president-elect hopes the Senate will approve.

Country star Walker Hayes surprised three Waffle House employees in Tennessee when he gave them huge tips to mark the holiday season. 

The 44-year-old singer was joined by entrepreneur and social media influencer Lexy Burke at one of the restaurant chain’s locations in Nashville, where they handed $1,200 in tips to workers following a meal.

Known as the “Serial Tipper,” Burke, a former server, collects donations from her followers to provide restaurant staff with generous tips. Burke launched the online movement in May 2020 to support food service workers after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she has continued her efforts since then.

“Honestly, I’m just so grateful Lexy included me in something so generous that she has cultivated,” Hayes told Southern Living magazine.

He continued, “As far as giving back is concerned, it is wild to be on this side of the gift. We’ve had people give us cars when we were hurting financially, so we know what it’s like to need a little help.” 

WALKER HAYES OF ‘FANCY LIKE’ FAME HINTS AT OPENING APPLEBEE’S IN NASHVILLE

In a joint video posted by Hayes and Burke on Instagram Thursday, the two were seen meeting up outside a Nashville Waffle House. Burke introduced the Grammy Award nominee as a “surprise contributor.”

“You ready to tip?” Burke asked Hayes.

“Let’s big tip these people,” he replied with a smile.

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Burke was seen chatting with a waitress, who said she also works at a hospital. The server marveled over Hayes’ appearance at the restaurant, telling Burke, “Wow, he walked in while I was working. I don’t ever get to see anybody good.”

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Another employee played Hayes’ song “Fancy Like Christmas” on the jukebox while the singer placed his order with the waitress.

“I’m trying to get this item on the menu. It’s called the Waffle Hayes,” he said. “It’s basically a waffle but with two eggs over-easy and bacon and cheese in it and folded like a taco.”

“We have customers come in and get that,” the waitress told him.

“If they get that, that’s what I want,” Hayes said.

After finishing their meal, Burke told the waitress and two other workers about her serial tipping movement.

Country singer Walker Hayes, above, was joined by influencer Lexy Burke, who is known as the “Serial Tipper.” (Debra L. Rothenberg/WireImage)

“I do this thing like every holiday season on my social media where I just ask people to send in some spare change,” she said. “So they do that and then my friend Walker wanted to contribute as well.”

Burke told the astonished employees that they were giving them $400 each for a total of $1,200.

“What’s up?!” Hayes said before assuring them that Burke was serious.

“On my God,” said one worker, to which Hayes replied, “I know!”

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“This is from tons of people who just wanted to make y’all’s night,” Burke said. “A lot of love.”

Burke gave the waitress a stack of $100 bills while Hayes cheered.

“Can I hug you?” the waitress asked.

The two hugged and the waitress said, “I’m going to hug everybody. Thank you so much.”

At the end of the video, the employees addressed Burke’s followers, calling out “Thank you!”

Hayes struggled for years before making it big with his hit “Fancy Like.” (JCPenney)

Before skyrocketing to fame with the success of his 2021 viral hit “Fancy Like,” Hayes struggled for over a decade as an aspiring singer-songwriter and worked at a Costco in Nashville. During a July 2023 interview with Fox News Digital, Hayes detailed his battle with alcoholism. 

The father of six shared that he was able to embrace sobriety and his faith with the help of his friend Craig Cooper, a pastor who helped him and his family when they needed it most.

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While speaking with Southern Living, Hayes said, “I really never dreamed we would have much to offer anyone.”

“So grateful, especially in this season, to help anyone, however we can,” he added.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter is college football’s most outstanding player, winning the Heisman Trophy Saturday night.

Hunter won the Heisman Trophy over Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

An emotional Hunter shared a long embrace with head coach Deion Sanders, wiping away tears on Coach Prime’s shoulder.

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“I thank God, man. I never thought I’d be in this position,” Hunter said when accepting the award.

Hunter received 552 first-place votes, beating out Jeanty’s 309. They were, by far, the top two finishers in the vote, and it was the closest vote since 2009.

Hunter, 21, had one of the most prolific seasons in college football history, playing both wide receiver and cornerback for Colorado.

The Colorado superstar played a whopping 1,380 total snaps this season, rarely leaving the field.

Hunter played 670 snaps on offense and 686 snaps on defense while also playing 24 special teams snaps.

Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter runs against TCU during the first half Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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As a wide receiver, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 total touchdowns. Hunter won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver.

Hunter also won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player, becoming the first player ever to win both the Bednarik and Biletnikoff.

As a corner, Hunter had 31 tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions, anchoring Colorado’s defense.

Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders led Colorado to a 9-3 record, and the team fell just short of making the Big 12 championship game.

Jeanty came in second place after the Boise State running back had one of the best seasons for a running back in college football history.

Jeanty’s numbers were out of a video game. He ran for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns on 344 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

Heisman Trophy finalists, from left, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Miami’s Cam Ward pose with the trophy Dec. 13, 2024, in New York.  (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

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Jeanty helped lead Boise State to the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff, which includes a first-round bye. Boise State will play the winner of SMU and Penn State.

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Mariah Carey was forced to cancel two additional shows on her Christmas Time tour after she came down with the flu.

On Friday, the 55-year-old singer announced that she was feeling too ill to perform and called off her shows this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and UBS Arena in Belmont, New York. 

“Newark and Belmont – I wish I had better news but unfortunately I’m still sick and have to cancel the shows tonight and on Sunday. I’m really devastated about it and appreciate your support. Love, MC,” Carey wrote in a post shared on X, formerly Twitter.

On Wednesday, the five-time Grammy Award winner canceled her concert at Pittburgh, Pennsylvania’s PPG Paints Arena hours before she was set to take the stage.

MARIAH CAREY’S ‘QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS’ REIGN ALMOST DIDN’T HAPPEN

“Pittsburgh, I am sorry to say, I’ve come down with the flu. It breaks my heart that I unfortunately have to cancel tonight’s show. I love you all so much,” Carey, who is known as the “Queen of Christmas,” wrote on X.

Carey is next scheduled for a Dec. 17 concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, which will mark the final stop on her tour. She has not yet announced whether that show will also be canceled.

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Carey’s tour kicked off in November. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Mariah Carey)

The latest cancelations come after Carey’s mega-hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” reclaimed its number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the 15th total week this year. Released in 1994, the iconic Christmas anthem has topped the chart every year since 2019 and has sold more than 10 million copies.

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Last week, a brawl broke out between fans during her show in St. Louis, Missori while she was performing “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Two men were seen on video getting into a fight as a woman tries to hold one of them back.

However, Carey appeared unfazed by the altercation and continued belting the tune, which closed out the show.

The singer is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her album “Merry Christmas,” which featured her mega-hit “All I Want For Christmas.” (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Mariah Carey)

In August, Carey officially announced that she was embarking on a 20-city nationwide tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her album “Merry Christmas,” which featured “All I Want For Christmas.” The tour kicked off on Nov. 6 at Highland, California’s Yaamava Theater.

During an April interview with People Magazine, Carey shared details about her plans for the tour, telling the outlet, “I’ve been working day and night on this one.”

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“I worked with some incredible people on this, like Miss Debbie Allen,” she added. Allen, who won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for her work on the 1980s TV show “Fame,” served as the creative director and choreographer for the Christmas Time national tour

“I’ll be doing songs I’ve never done before, some duets,” Carey teased while speaking with People. “I’ve got to keep some surprises.”

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman Trophy acceptance speech will wind up in the same place as Kamala Harris’ presidential election victory speech. 

Jeanty, a finalist for the award Saturday night, came up short to two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter in the voting. Jeanty had the best season of any Boise State running back in program history and one of the best in college football history. 

He thought so highly of his chances to win the award, he wrote and practiced an acceptance speech and even told the world he did so. 

“I practiced my speech last night to make sure I’m ready when I get up there,” Jeanty told reporters before the ceremony Saturday. 

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But Hunter’s dominance this season on both offense as a wide receiver and defense as a defensive back was too much for Jeanty to overcome. 

Hunter received 552 first-place votes, beating out Jeanty’s 309. They were, by far, the top two finishers in the vote, and it was the closest vote since 2009.

HEISMAN HOPEFUL ASHTON JEANTY POINTS TO HIS FAITH AFTER PLAYOFF-BOUND BOISE STATE WINS MOUNTAIN WEST TITLE

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) breaks away from the arms of UNLV defensive lineman Tatuo Martinson (98) in the first half of the Mountain West championship game Dec. 6, 2024, in Boise, Idaho.  (AP Photo/Steve Conner)

As a wide receiver, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 total touchdowns. Hunter won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver. As a corner, Hunter had 31 tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions, anchoring Colorado’s defense.

Hunter also won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player, becoming the first player ever to win both the Bednarik and Biletnikoff.

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Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty is interviewed by Fox Sports reporter Allison Williams after a game against the UNLV Rebels at Albertsons Stadium Dec. 6, 2024. (Brian Losness/Imagn Images)

Jeanty was the first running back Heisman Trophy finalist since 2017 after an impressive season in which he led the country with 2,497 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns.

The running back helped lead Boise State to the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff, which includes a first-round bye. Boise State will play the winner of SMU and Penn State.

Hunter’s Colorado team fell short of the playoff, finishing at No. 23. Colorado will play BYU in the Alamo Bowl Dec. 28. 

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Sundarpal Ghotra: Arrested for alleged organized retail theft, two counts of theft – shoplifting, resisting law enforcement, criminal conversion, three counts of driving while suspended, operating while intoxicated – endangerment, operating while intoxicated, possession of paraphernalia, expired plates, resisting law enforcement – fleeing vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash – property damage in Allen County, Indiana on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

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Jamie Foxx was injured during an altercation while celebrating his 57th birthday at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills, according to his representatives.

A spokesperson for Foxx told Fox News Digital that the incident occurred while the actor and singer were dining at the celeb-loved hot-spot on Friday night.

“Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth. He had to get stitches and is recovering. The police were called, and the matter is now in law enforcement’s hands,” the statement read.

According to a news release obtained by Fox News Digital, officers from the Beverly Hills Police Department responded to a reported assault with a deadly weapon at Mr. Chow on Friday.

JAMIE FOXX SUFFERED ‘BRAIN BLEED THAT LED TO A STROKE,’ DIDN’T ‘REMEMBER 20 DAYS’ DURING WEEKS-LONG HOSPITALIZATION

Following their arrival at 10:06 p.m., the BHPD officers investigated the incident and the report of assault with a deadly weapon was determined to be “unfounded.”

However, the press release stated that the “incident involved a physical altercation between parties.” Following a preliminary investigation, the authorities documented the battery in a report and no arrests were made. BHPD’s investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Mr. Chow for comment.

Foxx celebrated his birthday at Mr. Chow on Friday. (Getty Images)

After hosting the Jamie Foxx Strong Black Legends Dinner at Mr. Chow on Wednesday, Foxx was filmed and photographed as he left the restaurant. In a video posted on X, he was seen speaking with the paparazzi and signing autographs.

While he was walking to a SUV, Foxx was asked how he felt about celebrating his birthday after his near-death experience during a medical emergency last year.

“It’s beautiful because I didn’t know if I would be here to celebrate it,” the Academy Award winner said.

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Foxx was also asked about his Netflix comedy special, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was.” In the special released on Tuesday, the comedian shared new details about his 2023 health crisis.

“What a blessed time to be on stage,” he said. “It’s amazing, man, to have gone through something so crazy, but to get back on, make some chuckles and let other people know what’s up, was amazing.”

The “Blame It” singer said legendary comedians George Carlin and Richard Pryor inspired him to speak about the ordeal in the special.

Days earlier, Foxx, pictured with Vivica A. Fox, attended the Jamie Foxx Strong Black Legends Dinner at Mr. Chow. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Netflix)

In April 2023, Foxx was hospitalized in a coma for weeks after suffering from a mystery illness. During his Netflix special, Foxx emotionally broke down in tears several times throughout the special as he explained to fans what led to his coma.

“I was fighting for my life,” Foxx . “April 11, I was having a bad headache and I asked my boy for an aspirin… before I could get the aspirin… I went out. I don’t remember 20 days.”

Foxx revealed that doctors told his family he had a “brain bleed that’s led to a stroke” at the time of his hospitalization.

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“If I don’t go in his head right now, we’re going to lose him,” the doctor at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia declared. 

After Foxx’s surgery, his doctor said to his sister Deidra Dixon, “We didn’t find where it was coming from, but he is having a stroke. He may be able to make a full recovery, but it’s going to be the worst year of his life.”

Foxx continued, “I was so dizzy from the stroke… 20 days I don’t remember. On May 4, I woke up. When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk.”

Foxx returned to the stage for his Netflix special, “What Had Happened Was…” (Netflix)

“The “Django Unchained” actor thought his stroke was a “prank” at the time. He refused to see a therapist during his recovery until one healthcare worker demanded Foxx to snap out of it, since he was convinced, “Jamie Foxx don’t get strokes.”

“Listen, you gotta knock this s–t off, this whole Jamie Foxx s–t, stop this arrogant bulls–t, that stroke doesn’t give a f— about who you are,” the therapist told him.

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Foxx said that moment gave him a reality check as he snapped out of it and worked hard toward his recovery.

During the special, Foxx repeatedly expressed his gratitude to his fans for their prayers and support.

“I appreciate every well-wish, Atlanta. To the world, I can’t thank you enough.”

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., called out the Biden administration during a press conference Saturday about the recent drone sightings that have stumped U.S. officials.

The unidentified drone sightings, which have been observed flying above U.S. military installations and New Jersey homes since mid-November, have caused concern in the Garden State. 

The aircraft have also been spotted in Connecticut. On Thursday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called for the drones to be “shot down” if necessary. 

On Saturday, U.S. officials held a phone conference with reporters and appeared to downplay concerns about the drones, saying there was no evidence linking the aircraft to foreign adversaries.

MORE THAN 20 DAYS INTO PHENOMENON, PENTAGON STILL HAS NO ANSWERS ABOUT ORIGINS OF MYSTERIOUS NJ DRONES

Speaking from Seaside Heights, New Jersey, Smith said he asked DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas why the drones’ origins are still unknown.

“I asked Secretary Mayorkas at a briefing, a Zoom briefing, why we can’t follow them, find out where they’re going,” the Republican told reporters. “They’re coming from somewhere. … You can’t seem to do that.

“Why can’t we follow them and find what their origin is? Many of them seem to be coming from the ocean.”

The representative also mentioned that he contacted Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin to ask the U.S. military to authorize the use of force against the unusual drones.

DRONE MYSTERY: NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS THREATEN TO TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS IF GOVERNMENT DOESN’T ACT

Authorities are investigating unusual drone activity in northern New Jersey, including the area of Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.  (Getty Images)

“I’ve written Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking the Pentagon to authorize the use of force to down one or more of these unmanned threats to uncover the mystery, bring them down over the ocean, over an area where there’s no population,” Smith said. “Bring them down and find out who’s doing it.”

The New Jersey politician also expressed the belief the drones may be tied to at least one foreign government.

A map showing some of the locations where mystery drones have been spotted in New Jersey in December 2024.  (Fox News)

“The elusive maneuvering of these drones, I would suggest, suggests a major military power sophistication,” the Republican said. “That begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities or worse, by violent dictatorships, perhaps maybe Russia or China or Iran or North Korea.

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“I mean, they had the capability, and they certainly have the motive,” Smith added. “The Pentagon has said the drones are not ours.”