The U.S. military shot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone with a laser over Texas last Thursday, triggering expanded airspace restrictions near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Democratic Reps. Rick Larsen (Wash.), Bennie Thompson (Miss.) and Andre Carson (Ind.) said in a joint statement that the Pentagon used a “high-risk counter-unmanned aircraft system” to bring down the drone. They criticized the White House for “sidestepping” bipartisan legislation aimed at improving drone operator training and strengthening coordination among the Department of Homeland Security, the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The incident led the FAA to expand a temporary flight restriction (TFR) around Fort Hancock, Texas, increasing its radius “to ensure safety.” The agency said the TFR does not affect commercial flights.
In a joint statement Thursday night, the Defense Department, CBP and the FAA said the Pentagon acted under counter-drone authorities to “mitigate a seemingly threatening” drone operating in military airspace. Officials said the engagement occurred far from populated areas.
The agencies said that, at President Trump’s direction, they are working together “in an unprecedented fashion” to counter drone threats from Mexican cartels and foreign terrorist organizations along the border and pledged improved coordination to prevent similar incidents.
The episode marks the second laser-related airspace disruption in Texas this month. Previously, CBP used a Pentagon-lent laser near Fort Bliss, prompting the FAA to halt flights at El Paso International Airport.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) called the situation “alarming” and urged a “thorough, independent” investigation by multiple inspectors general.
Source: The Hill