• The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone near the U.S.-Mexico border.
• This is the second laser incident this month, prompting airspace closure by the FAA.
• Lawmakers express outrage over the lack of communication between military and aviation authorities.
• Democrats call for independent investigations into the government's handling of drone threats.
• The incidents highlight ongoing challenges with border security and drone management.

The U.S. military recently fired a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone, which lawmakers stated raised significant concerns. This incident occurred near Fort Hancock, Texas, leading the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to close additional airspace in the area. The military is mandated to notify the FAA whenever it takes counter-drone action within U.S. airspace, highlighting a procedural failure in communication among government agencies, according to NPR, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.

This incident marks the second laser deployment in the area within two weeks, the first being an unsuccessful attempt by CBP to take down a drone near Fort Bliss that did not impact any targets. The FAA had previously shut down air traffic around El Paso for several hours due to that incident, causing flight disruptions and cancellations, indicating the significant ramifications of such counter-drone measures. Lawmakers expressed their astonishment at how these events unfolded, stating, “Our heads are exploding over the news,” critiquing the former administration for failing to facilitate better communication and coordination among federal agencies, according to NPR, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.

The Pentagon, FAA, and CBP released a statement declaring the military’s action was a response to a “seemingly threatening” drone while emphasizing their commitment to cooperation in preventing such situations. There was reassurance that the operations were conducted away from populated areas, and no commercial flights were in the vicinity at the time. However, Senator Tammy Duckworth called for independent investigations to assess the situation more accurately, reflecting ongoing tensions within U.S. governance regarding drone regulation and border security, as highlighted by NPR, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.

Further complicating the situation, ongoing drone threats from drug cartels have been noted, as these entities increasingly utilize drones for transporting contraband across the U.S.-Mexico border. It was reported that over 27,000 drone sightings occurred in close proximity to the border recently, amplifying concerns about air traffic safety and regulatory oversight in managing drone activities. The increasing prevalence of drones poses significant risks not only to border enforcement but also to aviation safety, echoing warnings voiced by officials alongside statistical data on drone registrations, according to NPR, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.